Posted: February 9, 2018
Contact: Doug Anderson, doug.anderson@MinnState.edu, 651-201-1426
ST. PAUL, Minn., Feb. 9, 2018 – Minnesota State has named the finalists who are under consideration to become the next president of St. Cloud Technical & Community College. The candidates are Annesa Cheek, Laurie Chesley, Utpal Goswami, and Michael Seymour.
The candidates were recommended by a search advisory committee comprised of students, faculty, staff, and community leaders and chaired by Joe Mulford, president of Pine Technical and Community College. The candidates are scheduled to visit the campus of St. Cloud Technical & Community College between February 13 and February 16. The campus visits present an opportunity for faculty, staff, students, and members of the community to meet and offer feedback on each of the candidates. Details of the candidate’s campus visits and the process for providing feedback are available at the SCTCC Presidential Search web page.
Annesa Cheek has served Sinclair Community College (OH) since 2006 in several capacities, including her current role as executive vice president, Ohio Association of Community Colleges/Sinclair Community College. Previously, she served Sinclair Community College as vice president – School and Community Partnerships Division and Student Financial Services. She was also chief of staff in the Office of the President and served as the senior director of Advancement and assistant to the president. Annesa holds a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee State University, a master’s from the University of Dayton, and a doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin. Her campus visit is scheduled for Friday, February 16.
Laurie Chesley has served Grand Rapids Community College (MI) since 2005 as provost and executive vice president for academic and student affairs, and as dean and associate dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. Previously, she served Montgomery County Community College (PA) from 2004 to 2005, Ferris State University (MI) from 2001 to 2004, and Northwestern Michigan College from 1995 to 2001. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Alma College, and a master’s and a doctorate from Notre Dame. Her campus visit is scheduled for Tuesday, February 13.
Utpal Goswami has served as president of MCC-Maple Woods, a campus of the Metropolitan Community College district (MO) since 2013. Previously, he served the College of the Redwoods (CA) from 2010 to 2013, Yavapai College (AZ) from 2006 to 2010, St. Louis Community College-Meramec (MO) from 2001 to 2006, and Schreiner University from 1987 to 2001. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delhi, a master’s degree from Boston University, and a master’s and a doctorate from Southern Methodist University. His campus visit is scheduled for Wednesday, February 14.
Michael Seymour has served Lake Superior College (MN) as vice president of Academic and Student Affairs since 2015. Previously, he served the University of Minnesota Duluth from 2012 to 2015, Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Anoka Technical College from 1997 to 2012, and Riverland Community College from 1989 to 1997. He holds an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree, and a master’s from Ferris State University (MI), and is completing the remaining requirements for a doctorate from the University of South Dakota. His campus visit is scheduled for Thursday, February 15.
The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is expected to act on Interim Chancellor Devinder Malhotra’s recommendation of a final candidate at its March 21 meeting. The new president is expected to begin in July, 2018.
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St. Cloud Technical & Community College (SCTCC) was founded as the second technical college in the state in 1948. SCTCC is committed to meeting the needs of our community through its 90 program options that closely match the types of jobs available in the area. St. Cloud Technical & Community College is one of 37 members of the Minnesota State system and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Minnesota State includes 30 community and technical colleges and seven state universities serving approximately 375,000 students. It is the fourth-largest system of two-year colleges and four-year universities in the United States.