Three finalists recommended for Northland Community and Technical College presidency

Posted: February 27, 2006

Contact: Doug Anderson, doug.anderson@MinnState.edu, 651-201-1426

The names of three finalists for president of Northland Community and Technical College have been submitted to the chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, James H. McCormick. The candidates are Mike Bower, Laura Coleman and Anne Temte.

The finalists were recommended by a search committee chaired by Joe Sertich, president of the Northeast Higher Education District.

Mike Bower has been executive dean to the president at Mott Community College in Flint, Mich. since 2004. Previously, he was the campus administrator for Chippewa Valley Technical College at Chippewa Falls, Wis.; dean of academic education/training and associate dean of instruction, technical programs/business & industry at Central Community College in Columbus, Neb.; and an instructor and program chair for industrial technology at Ivy Tech State College in Kokomo, Ind. Prior to those positions, Bower was employed in various management positions in private industry. Currently, a doctoral candidate in higher education administration at the University of Nebraska, Bower holds a master's degree in business administration from Indiana Wesleyan University, a bachelor's degree in industrial supervision from Indiana State University and an associate in applied science degree in automotive technology from Vincennes University.

Laura Coleman has served as executive dean of the Lake Michigan College Bertrand Crossing Campus since 2003. Previously, she was director of the Jefferson City Campus of State Fair Community College, co-owned a business from 1993 to 2003 and was a pharmaceutical sales representative from 1983 to 1993. She holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy analysis with an emphasis in higher and continuing education from the University of Missouri-Columbia, a master's degree in business administration from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management and a bachelor's degree in marketing from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Anne Temte is currently executive director of business training and community development at Wenatchee Valley College in Wenatchee, Wash. Previously, she has been vice president of instruction and student development at Wenatchee Valley College and dean of Mesabi Community College in Virginia, Minn. Prior professional experience includes being a biology faculty member at Luther College in Decorah, Ia.; personnel director at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Ore.; director of personnel and affirmative action at Wenatchee Valley College and vice president of human resources at the Community College of Spokane. Anne serves as a city council member for the City of Wenatchee. She holds a Ph.D. in college student services administration from Oregon State University, a master's degree in biology from Utah State University and a bachelor's degree in biology from Luther College.

The new president will replace James Davis, who has served as interim president since last July. Chancellor McCormick, along with one to three members of the Board of Trustees, will conduct interviews with the finalists. McCormick will make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees, which could act on the recommendation at its regular meeting March 22. Northland Community and Technical College serves more than 4,700 students in credit-based courses annually and offers a wide range of educational programs and delivery options.