Mission & Momentum - a message from Chancellor Bryan Renfro | Steps for the hiring of the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs

Dear EICC Community,

Colleagues,

As shared, Dr. Jeremy Pickard will be transitioning to his new role as President of Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in June. With that transition ahead, we are moving forward with the process to identify our next Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs.

The VCAA position will be posted this week, and we will begin a national search.

In preparation for this search, I met with the academic deans and department coordinators to better understand what they believe is most important in this role. Their input helped shape the position description. Now, I am asking for your engagement to help inform the process beyond the job description.

I have asked Ann Lawler and Erin Snyder to once again lead the search effort. While a position description has been developed, it is important that this search reflects the priorities and perspectives of our college community. Similar to the recent Vice Chancellor of Student Services search, Ann and Erin will host listening sessions to gather your input on the qualities, experiences, and areas of focus you would like to see in our next academic leader.

Listening Sessions

April 10 - Clinton Community College, Room 139
- 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
April 13 – Zoom
- 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
April 13 - Muscatine Community College, Strahan 27
- 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
April 14 – Scott Community College, Room 1501
- 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
April 15 - Scott Community College, Room 1501
- 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Feedback from these sessions will be used in partnership with the search committee to inform the review of candidates, the selection of semi-finalists, and to help guide my decision-making throughout the process.

As with our other searches, a committee is being formed to support this work. The committee will review applications and identify semi-finalists for initial interviews. From there, they will recommend a slate of finalists for my review. Finalists will be invited to campus for open forums and interviews with various groups across the college.

Given the timing of opening the search in April, it is possible that finalist forums may occur during the summer months. If those sessions fall outside of faculty contract days, we will provide compensation for faculty who participate in forums and provide feedback.

This is an important opportunity to shape the future of academic affairs at EICC. Your voice and engagement are critical to ensuring we identify a leader who aligns with our mission, supports our students, and advances our work with purpose and momentum.

We saw strong engagement throughout the Vice Chancellor of Student Services search, with thoughtful participation in listening sessions, candidate forums, and feedback processes across the college. The input has been valuable in shaping the process and informing the decision. I am now finalizing the selection and anticipate sharing the appointment with the college community soon.

Thank you for your continued commitment to our students and to one another.

Bryan Renfro, PhD
Chancellor
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
101 West Third Street, Davenport
563-336-3301