A candidate for the post of Vice Chancellor of Business Services spoke at an open forum June 9.
Kevin McElroy was the first of three candidates slated to speak. Local community members and staff who were responsible for various educational programs at Foothill and De Anza Colleges attended the forum.
Attendees asked questions about the budget crisis and what strategies the candidate could offer to minimize the downsizing and cutting of programs and classes.
McElroy outlined what he called his “sound stable dependable resource allocation model.” The sound stable model will identify fixed costs such as faculty and staff costs, and allocate excess revenue generated by the college each year to fund long term programs.
“We need a plan that is understandable, one that people can depend on … and which can adjust appropriately to the financial demands,” he said.
McElroy mentioned an organization called Kaleidoscope, a leadership institute that serves to enhance and celebrate the achievements of women of color at Coastline Community College. He said he would like to bring similar programs to the Foothill-De Anza Community College District.
The three candidates were selected by a committee formed by the district.
“The district formed a selection committee comprised of about 12 staff members from across the district to screen applicants for this position. Based on that screening, the committee decided to interview about 11 candidates … The committee recommended that three candidates be forwarded as finalists for this position,” said Mike Brandy, chair of the selection committee and former vice chancellor of Business Services.
The forum for the second candidate, Jon Stephens, was held June 10 and the third, forJeanine Hawk, will be held June 14.
The new vice chancellor of Business Services will be selected by the Foothill-De Anza Board of Trustees and will serve a 12 month term in office.