Lake Superior College Presidency Finalists Named

ST. PAUL, Minn., Feb. 27, 2019 – Minnesota State has named three finalists in the search for the next president of Lake Superior College. The candidates are Randell Daniels, Patricia Rogers, and Daria Willis.

The candidates were recommended by a search advisory committee comprised of students, faculty, staff, and community leaders, and chaired by Barbara McDonald, president of North Hennepin Community College. The candidates are scheduled to visit the campus March 4 to 6. The campus visits provide an opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and members of the community to meet each of the candidates and offer feedback. Details of the candidates’ campus visits and the process for providing feedback are available at https://www.lsc.edu/presidential-search/.

Randell Daniels has served Monroe County Community College as vice president of Student and Information Services since 2005, and as director of admissions and guidance services from 1995 to 2005. He also has served as an adjunct professor at Siena Heights University (MI) since 2015, and served the Mason Consolidated Schools as a guidance counselor, teacher, and coach from 1987 to 1995. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo, a master’s from Eastern Michigan University, and a doctorate from the University of Toledo. He will visit the campus of Lake Superior College on Tuesday, March 5.

Patricia Rogers has served Winona State University as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs since 2013, and previously as interim dean/founding dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Ecology and the School of Graduate Studies from 2008 to 2013, and as interim dean of the College of Social and Natural Sciences from 2007 to 2008. She also served Valley City State University (ND) as the founding dean of the School of Education and Graduate Studies from 2006 to 2007; and Bemidji State University as a professor from 2001 to 2006, and as an assistant/associate professor from 1996 to 1999. She holds a bachelor’s degree, a master’s, and a doctorate from the University of Minnesota. She will visit the campus of Lake Superior College on Monday, March 4.

Daria J. Willis has served Onondaga Community College (NY) as provost and senior vice president of Academic Affairs since 2016. Previously, she served Lee College (TX) as the dean of Academic Studies from 2015 to 2016; the Lone Star College System – North Harris Campus as executive dean of centers/dean of instruction from 2014 to 2015; the Lone Star College System-University Park Campus as an assistant professor and department chair from 2011 to 2014, and as faculty senate president from 2012 to 2014; and the Lone Star College-Tomball as assistant professor from 2010 to 2011. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s from Florida A&M University and a doctorate from Florida State University. She will visit the campus of Lake Superior College on Wednesday, March 6.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees is expected to consider Chancellor Devinder Malhotra’s recommendation at its March 20 meeting. The anticipated start date of the new president is July 1, 2019. 

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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.