Wright a finalist for top post of Oregon community school

Almost a year after resigning as Northern Marianas College president, Kenneth Wright is now eyeing the top post of an Oregon community college.

Wright has been named one of the five finalists for president of Southwestern Oregon Community College, according to a report by the Oregon-based newspaper The World. He got into the final list against strong competition, which originally included 17 other candidates.

Wright is reportedly competing against the SOCC’s current dean of college advancement/marketing and recruiting, and three other candidates who have experience as president of community colleges.

The World said Wright and his rivals will undergo an interview by the SOCC Board of Education between Jan. 26 and 27. They will also participate in a series of public forums where college faculty, staff, management, students and community members can pose questions to them.

On March 8, the board is scheduled to meet in executive session to select two finalists and decide whether to conduct second interviews, the Oregon newspaper quoted an Oregon School Boards Association official as saying.

Then, the board will make a final offer to one of the candidates. The job posting reportedly indicated that the winning candidate stands to receive an annual salary of around $124,000.

The SOCC has a budget of $28 million, 2,900 full-time equivalency students, 68 full-time faculty and 250 part-time faculty members.

On Feb. 20, Wright tendered his resignation as NMC president amid an anticipated budget shortfall, personnel discontent, and criticisms over his brainchild—the Pacific Gateway project.

“I accept full responsibility for the loss of your confidence that necessitates this unhappy conclusion to our professional relationship. That loss is made all the more difficult because I continue to hold this Board in high regard,” Wright had said in his resignation letter.

His resignation took effect on April 21, 2004.

Aside from NMC, Wright has also served as president and business and mathematics instructor at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nevada; a vice president and business and math instructor at Austin Community College, in Austin, Texas; and the president, dean of financial affairs, professor, dean of the college, and business and math instructor at Passaic County Community College, New Jersey, according to The World.

Wright received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical/electrical engineering from Kettering University, a master’s in marketing and accounting from Rider University in New Jersey; and a doctorate in community college leadership from the University of Texas, the report added. (Agnes E. Donato)