BENTONVILLE — NorthWest Arkansas Community College’s Board of Trustees will hear proposals from several search firms on Tuesday and Wednesday that could help the college conduct a national presidential search.
Steven Hinds, executive director of public relations at the college, said four consultants will give presentations via conference calls. The board will make a decision Wednesday following the last proposal pitch.
The special presentations will be given from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday and from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the college’s conference room on the third floor of Burns Hall.
President Becky Paneitz announced her retirement during a board meeting last month. Her last day will be June 29, 2013.
AT A GLANCE
Search Firms
NorthWest Arkansas Community College Board of Trustees will meet with four search firms:
- Bruce Johanson and Bill Hendricks
- Hockaday-Hartford
- Cizek Associates
- Narcisa A. Polonio of the Association of Community College Trustees
Source: NorthWest Arkansas Community College
Joe Spivey, board vice chairman, reviewed the material from the four companies this past weekend.
“I have worked with search firms in the past on previous boards,” Spivey said. “I think we have to look at the extent of the services each offer. We are wanting accurate information and a good vetting-out process. We want to make sure we find the right candidate that will be good for the community college, along with all the community stakeholders.”
Spivey said ultimately the decision on a new president comes down to the board of trustees.
Dick Trammel was a founding member of college’s board of trustees, and was on the board when Paneitz was hired nine years ago.
“We are not a small two-year college anymore,” Trammel said. “We are the second largest in Arkansas out of 22. I think the national search gives you an opportunity to see what is available.”
It is time for the college to hire a search firm, Trammel said.
“It costs a little money, but you get what you pay for,” Trammel said about hiring a search firm.
Alex Vasquez, board chairman, previously stated search firms generally charge one-third of the first year’s salary for the candidate hired. The cost could be approximately $60,000 based on Paneitz salary.