The Oregon Coast Community College (OCCC) Board of Education has named three finalists in the search for a new college president. The announcement follows President Birgitte Ryslinge’s decision to retire by the end of 2024. Ryslinge, who has led the college for over a decade, will extend her tenure until January 2025 to assist with the transition. “This has been an exciting and thorough process,” said Board Chair Rich Emery. “I am grateful to the Board of Education for their work in developing a Presidential Profile, and the extensive work of President Ryslinge and Human Resources Director Joy Gutknecht in implementing the considerable and exhaustive process to get us to this point, where we are able to name these highly qualified finalists.”
Emery noted that each finalist emerged based on their apparent fit with the President Profile, as well as their performance in a very demanding interview with administrative staff to demonstrate their competencies in areas important to the Presidency. Going forward, the Board process will now be supported by a search firm, Human Capital Enterprises, that recently assisted the Oregon Community College Association in its search for a new director.
Joel Keebler currently serves as the Dean of Science at American River College in Sacramento, California, overseeing approximately 100 faculty members, directors and support staff, and managing an annual budget of approximately $10 million. Keebler is pursuing a Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California, expected to be completed in August 2024. He holds a Master’s degree in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design and a Bachelor of Science in Plant Science from the University of Tennessee. “As a proud community college graduate, I have had the privilege of serving in three state community college systems (including Oregon),” Keebler said, “and I am honored to be considered by Oregon Coast. So many great things have been accomplished in OCCC’s brief history, and Oregon’s central coast is the best backdrop I can imagine. I look forward to visiting campus, learning more, and meeting the people who have helped OCCC thrive.”
Dr. Brian Kelly has been the President of Clinton Community College in Iowa since 2020 and serves as Vice Chancellor of Strategy, Planning, and Purpose for the Eastern Iowa Community College District. Clinton Community college serves a rural area and is of a similar size to OCCC. He previously held various roles at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. Dr. Kelly earned a Doctor of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University, an MBA from Marylhurst University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Fine Arts from Southern Illinois University. “It’s a very exciting time for Oregon Coast Community College and I’m honored to be considered for this position,” Kelly said. “This is an amazing community that supports our mission and I am looking forward to the conversations about the collective impact of our shared future.”
Marshall Roache is the Executive Dean of Career and Technical Education and Public Safety at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon. He manages a budget of approximately $18 million, and a staff of approximately 120. His responsibilities include overseeing programs in health sciences, applied technologies, and apprenticeship programs. Roache holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oregon and a Master of Liberal Studies from Fort Hays State University. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi. “I would be privileged to lead and continue to help grow Oregon Coast Community College,” Roache said. “It’s an amazing time to join this winning institution.”
The finalists will visit Lincoln County on August 26 and 27, engaging in internal forums (employee and potentially student), community leaders forums, interviews with administration, and a lengthy interview with the Board of Education. The Board of Education hopes to make a decision in September 2024, with the new president starting on or before January 2, 2025.
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