How much of a difference can one person make in a large organization? When that person’s name follows the title “president,” the answer should be “a lot.” But history tells us that depends entirely on the president’s abilities to juggle the needs, the wants and the whims of multiple constituencies with, of course, limited funding. In the case of NorthWest Arkansas Community College, that means students, instructors, staff, trustees, contributors and residents in Bentonville and Rogers who support the institution with their tax dollars.

The former “college without walls” has come a long way since hiring Bob Burns as its first president. The community college came into existence in 1989 when voters in the Bentonville and Rogers school districts agreed to tax property owners to develop a community college accessible by anyone in the region.

Having first met in classrooms wherever in the community organizers could find them back in 1990, the college has now grown into a physical campus and outlying class sites serving more than 8,300 primarily from Benton and Washington counties through a $39 million budget.

Now in its 22nd year, the presidency of this institution of higher learning is entering its junior term, so to speak. When Burns retired, the college’s board of trustees hired Becky Paneitz in 2003. She announced earlier this year she would retire June 30, 2013.

Next year, the institution will get the third president in its history. Evelyn Jorgenson, the president of Moberly Area Community College in Moberly, Mo., for the last 16 years, has tentatively accepted the post. A few contractual issues are all that stand between NWACC and its third president.

“We have confidence that she will be able to move the college forward in a great way,” said Alex Vasquez, chairman of NWACC’s board. “She brings a wealth of experience having served for 16 years at her current institution.”

The community college is a valuable asset to the growing two-county area. During Paneitz’s leadership, the college continued to grow. In 2007, the student head count totaled 6,470. Today’s 8,300 credit-seeking students come primarily from Benton County (54 percent) and Washington County (39 percent). Through other programs, NWACC reaches more than 14,000 students in the region.

This is an institution that can make a huge impact for individuals and for the communities of Northwest Arkansas.

If the new president meets the characteristics established by the board, the future is bright for NWACC. Those include a student focus, transparent decision-making, collaboration, eff ective communication, approachability, eff ective fi scal management and accountability, innovation, strong advocacy for education and integrity.

Among the list of “ideal characteristics” sought by the board is this: “An individual of the highest integrity who will embrace NWACC’s tradition of accountability.” That’s well said, but why stand on tradition? We’d go further by encouraging an even higher level of transparency and accountability within NWACC’s leadership. While we have great respect for the institution, its recent history also reflects a need to build trust with the people it serves, the taxpayers who support it and the public that wants to believe NWACC is a great educational option that is student-centered.

Jorgenson will take the reins of an outstanding institution that has played and can continue to play a key role in advancing Northwest Arkansas’ future and that of the people whose lives it touches. It’s potential has not been reached, and with decision-making that respects all the constituencies at NWACC, the college’s lofty goals can be realized.