GCC looks to fill two vice president positions

By CHARITY SMITH

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Ironwood — Gogebic Community College has had vacancies in key administrative roles for nearly a year. The college hired the Association of Community College Trustees to assist with its search to fill the vacancies of vice president of student services and athletics, and vice president of businesses services in October.

The positions were formerly held by Erik Guenard, who resigned as vice president of business services in October; Jeanne Graham, who retired as vice president of student services in December 2020, and Mike Boerman, who resigned as director of athletics in August 2020. The college board decided to combine the director of athletics duties with the vice president of student services position.

In the interim, a college spokesperson said the responsibilities of all three of those positions have been taken on by “numerous” internal staff members, adding David Darrow, vice president of academic services has been overseeing the student services department.

“Having vacant positions poses challenges as well as opportunities for collaboration and opportunities to diversify and improve upon institutional knowledge,” said Kim Zeckovich, director of admissions, marketing and community relations. “Filling vacant roles also adds to the existing talent base of employees, which promotes the evolution of progress.”

The college hopes to review applications and begin interviewing for the two vice president positions in January. A second round of interviews could take place in February, with the hopes of recommending candidates to the board that month, and having the vacancies filled no later than July 1.

“We are confident that the college will find two strong candidates to bring forth in February that can step in, bring new ideas and work with constituents to strategically resource institutional priorities like increasing enrollment as we move forward,” said President, Dr. George McNulty.