Executive Director Search Advisory Committee
The Executive Director Search Advisory Committee is comprised of three State Board members and one representative from Washington State Association of College Trustees (ACT), the Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges (WACTC) association of presidents, faculty unions, and SBCTC staff.
The committee is tasked with refining the search process, developing candidate evaluation tools in communication with internal and external stakeholders, and evaluating applicants through written materials and interviews to bring highly qualified candidates to the Board for its consideration. The collected information will be used to develop a position profile and screening tools.
- Internal system stakeholders: Information on challenges and opportunities and candidate characteristics/traits will be solicited through discussion at system meetings (i.e., WACTC and staff meetings), surveys and/or telephone conversations with stakeholder leaders (i.e., student, faculty leaders, advisory councils).
- External system stakeholders: Information on challenges and opportunities and candidate characteristics/traits will be solicited through telephone conversations and emails with external stakeholders. This group includes, but is not limited to, the Washington State Labor Council, Association for Washington Business, The Washington Roundtable, Council of Presidents, Washington Student Achievement Council, the Office of the Governor’s Office and legislative higher education leads.
Confidentiality
Throughout this process, candidate confidentiality is of utmost priority. Applicants must feel confident their candidacies will be kept confidential until they have been identified as finalists; otherwise, they may not apply due to concerns their effectiveness may be compromised in their current positions.
As we move forward, the committee will have information on applicants.
Certain stakeholders will get regular updates on steps taken and planned in the search process, but applicant identities will be held in confidence out of respect for candidates.
Committee Members
State Board members
- Crystal Donner, chair
- Martin Valadez, vice chair
- Carol Landa McVicker
- Mack Hogans
Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges (WACTC)
- Sara Thompson Tweedy, Big Bend Community College president
Washington State Association of College Trustees (ACT)
- Doug Mah, ACT president, South Puget Sound Community College trustee
Washington Education Association (WEA)
- Suzanne Southerland, WEA Board Director
SBCTC agency staff
- Cherie Berthon, SBCTC operating budget director
Student representative
- Melissa Littleton, Tacoma Community College
Staff support
- Julie Huss, SBCTC human resources director