Northeast Iowa C.C. reveals presidential finalists

Northeast Iowa Community College Board President Dr. Ken Reimer announced the board's selection of four presidential candidates today.

The search, which drew in a number of qualified applicants, began in May after Dr. Penny Wills announced her decision to accept the presidency of Yavapai College in Arizona.

The Board feels they have a strong list of candidates and are satisfied with the process thus far.  “We are very pleased with the high quality of the candidates,” commented Reimer. “They all have strong ties to education and, specifically, to community colleges.”

The candidates include Liang Chee Wee, Keith Cornille, Curt Oldfield and Steve Schulz.

Wee is currently the Interim President and Calmar Campus Provost at Northeast Iowa Community College.  Prior to coming to NICC, Wee served Luther College for fifteen years first teaching in the Department of Economics and Business then serving as Chair of the department.  In 2001, he accepted the position of Associate Dean for Advising and Special Programs and Registrar.

He held that position until 2007 when he came to NICC as Calmar Campus Provost. Wee earned a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts in management information systems, a Master's of business administration, and a Ph.D. in business administration, all from the University of Arizona, Tucson.

Cornille has served as Vice President for Student Development at Madison College (formerly Madison Area Technical College) in Madison, WI since January of 2010.  Prior to accepting the Vice Presidency, Cornille served Madison College as the Executive Dean for Learner Development and from 2000 to 2006, he served as the Student Life Administrator.  He also served in student life and campus activities positions in Illinois and Indiana.  Cornille holds an Associate of Arts in general studies from the College of DuPage (a two-year school in Glen Ellyn, IL) a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Master of Arts in educational and community college administration both from Northeastern Illinois University (Chicago).  He earned a Doctorate in Education for Edgewood College (Madison, WI) in educational leadership.

Oldfield is currently holds the position of Vice President for Academic Affairs at Northeast Iowa Community College.  Prior to coming to NICC in 2006, Oldfield held the position of Dean of Instruction at Spoon River College, a two-year college in Canton, IL.  He also taught agriculture at Spoon River College.

Oldfield received an Associate of Science degree in agriculture from Spoon River College, a Bachelor of Science in agriculture education from Illinois State University at Normal, a Master of Science in agriculture education from the University of Illinois in Champaign and is pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Iowa State University, Ames.

Schulz has held the position of Provost of the Carroll campus of Des Moines Area Community College (IA) since July 2006.  Previous to working at DMACC, he was the 2 + 2 Coordinator at the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, and from 2000-2004 he served as Superintendent of the Carroll (IA) Community School District.  Earlier in his career, Schulz served as a middle school principal and as a social studies instructor and high school coach.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in education and history at Illinois State University, Normal; a Master of Arts in educational administration at the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, an Education Specialist from Drake University, Des Moines, and a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies from Iowa State University.

The search is being conducted with the assistance of consultant Dr. Larry Ebbers of Iowa State University.  Many community members as well as college staff were involved in the search process which resulted in the selection of the four finalists.

The Board will begin the interview process on Monday, September 19.  The community is invited to attend public forums held on both campuses for each finalist.

Monday, September 19 Public Forums

8:45 – 9:30                  Peosta Campus – Liang Chee Wee

9:45 – 10:30                Peosta Campus – Liang Chee Wee

8:45 – 9:30                  Calmar Campus – Keith Cornille

9:45 – 10:30                Calmar Campus – Keith Cornille

Tuesday, September 20 Public Forums

8:45 – 9:30                  Peosta Campus – Keith Cornille

9:45 – 10:30                Peosta Campus – Keith Cornille

8:45 – 9:30                  Calmar Campus – Liang Chee Wee

9:45 – 10:30                Calmar Campus – Liang Chee Wee

Wednesday,September 21 Public Forums

8:45 – 9:30                  Calmar Campus – Curt Oldfield

9:45 – 10:30                Calmar Campus – Curt Oldfield

Thursday,September 22 Public Forums

8:45 – 9:30                  Peosta Campus – Curt Oldfield

9:45 – 10:30                Peosta Campus – Curt Oldfield

Monday,September 26 Public Forums

8:45 – 9:30                  Calmar Campus – Steve Schulz

9:45 – 10:30                Calmar Campus – Steve Schulz

Tuesday, September 27 Public Forums

8:45 – 9:30                  Peosta Campus – Steve Schulz

9:45 – 10:30                Peosta Campus – Steve Schulz