WTCS head resigns, recruitment for replacement is underway

Dr. Richard Carpenter resigned as president of the Wisconsin Technical College System effective July 28, leaving the WTCS Board to conduct its second presidential search in three years. Dr. Carpenter left the WTCS for the Community College of Southern Nevada, where he is serving as college president. Dan Clancy, the WTCS State Office's Vice President for Finance and Policy, has been appointed interim president.

In early July, the WTCS Board initiated the series of steps necessary to fill the position.
The Board named an eight-member search committee consisting of the following individuals:

  • Anne Reid (Search Committee Chairperson) – WTCS Board
  • Nino Amato – WTCS Board
  • Phil Neuenfeldt – WTCS Board
  • Annie Vang – WTCS Board
  • Allan Kehl – WTCS Board
  • Jose Vasquez – WTCS Board
  • Darnell Cole – President, Milwaukee Area Technical College – representing the WTCS Presidents' Association
  • John Ashley – Madison Area Technical College Board Member – representing the WTCS District Board Association
  • Karen Timberlake – Secretary, State of Wisconsin Department of Employee Relations

The board has already begun the process of gathering input from various WTCS constituent groups, including organized labor and other organizations and individuals with a vested interest in the WTCS. WEAC was afforded an opportunity to participate in this process – calling on the WTCS to hire a "strong advocate" and an individual "committed to the independence of the WTCS."

After the data from the environmental scan is gathered and analyzed, the board – with the help of an executive recruitment consulting firm – will begin the process of soliciting applications and gathering nominations. The initial pool of candidates will be narrowed substantially, most likely with a good deal of assistance from the search consultant. The search committee will then interview finalists and make a recommendation to the full board. The WTCS Board hopes to appoint the new WTCS president by mid-December 2004.