After 13 years on the job, Steve Kinsella to retire

Published in the February 17 – March 1, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Kent Child

Kent Child

Kent Child

Gavilan Community College Superintendent/President Dr. Steve Kinsella decided to retire at the end of this academic year. His skill, commitment and leadership during the past 13 years contributed greatly to the college’s excellence in service to the community. His departure will create a void that will be a challenge to fill.

One of the primary functions of the Gavilan College Board of Trustees is the hiring of the institution’s Superintendent/President in a timely and equitable manner. The Board has secured the consulting services of PPL. Inc to facilitate and guide the district through the search and hiring process. They have provided search and recruitment services in the educational sector for more than 30 years, including Gavilan’s 2002 search that resulted in the hiring of Dr. Kinsella. Their consultants, Dr. Robert Griffin and Dr. Jose M. Ortiz, have both had extensive careers in the California Community College system and are very familiar with the San Francisco and Monterey Bay regions. They will work with the college in a process that will span most of the spring semester.

The board’s Presidential Search Subcommittee is composed of trustees Laura Perry and Walt Glines as well as myself as the chair. This committee will implement the various phases of the process. The first phase, a nation-wide advertising of the position is underway, along with an active recruitment effort. Prospective candidates may apply through March 25, 2016. Detailed information about the position and the College is available on the website : www.gavilan.edu.

A screening committee will be appointed with representation from the various constituent groups of college employees, the board and students. The screening committee will review qualified applications and recommend candidates to be invited for an interview. A subset of this committee will form the interview committee. Trustees from each of the three geographic regions of the Gavilan District will appoint a community member to represent their part of the district as they augment the interviewing committee. Following the first round of interviews, recommend semifinalists will then be interviewed by the full Board of Trustees, who will then select the next Superintendent/President of the Gavilan College Joint Community College District.

This rigorous and collaborative search process is intended to attract, identify and employ a visionary individual who understands and is committed to the comprehensive community college philosophy, the nuanced tradition of participatory governance, and inclusive and open leadership. He or she must demonstrate the ability to inspire through a commitment to student success, possess a strong belief in the value of diversity and respect for the value of every member of the college community, a leader that will continue the tradition of outstanding services to the communities served by Gavilan College.

Kent Child is a member of the Gavilan Community College Board of Trustees representing Hollister. He is the chair of the Presidential Search Committee. He wrote this guest column for Morgan Hill Life.