The best president for NIC was here all along
It doesn't matter that North Idaho College spent more than $25,000 and several anxiety-filled months seeking someone to replace former President Michael Burke.
What matters is this: In the end, they got it right.
Ms. Right is Dr. Priscilla Bell, who was brought in Feb. 26 on an interim basis to keep the ship steady when Burke took over as president of San Jose City College. What she's done in just over four months is far more than a steadying act. She's charted an exciting course for NIC.
That course, we predict, will include three major missions:
? Develop greater respect, rewards and accountability for the college's staff and faculty
? Build upon already strong professional-technical and workforce training programs
? Merge academic interests on campus with business interests in the community
On all three counts, we have already seen evidence hinting at further success.
Bell's first budget includes impressive raises for employees, and she doesn't back down one bit in insisting upon attracting and retaining the best staff and faculty. That's the first order of business for any leader: Surround yourself with the very best people possible, give them the tools to succeed and then hold them accountable.
NIC is undeniably superior in a number of areas, led by its stellar nursing program and several of Robert Ketchum's workforce training programs. Bell sees almost unlimited potential with workforce training and is adept enough at planning and communication to bolster that mission of the community college without alienating the academic side.
Finally, it is because she already has proven to be a tireless, effective communicator that we feel confident Bell will find common ground between campus entities and area businesses and build upon it. In her four months serving as interim president, we would venture a guess that Bell has had more one-on-one meetings with community leaders than Dr. Burke did in his almost nine-year tenure as president. That's not a criticism of Burke nearly as much as it's a compliment for Bell. She has gone out not to preach her own gospel, but to listen and learn about the needs and wants of the community.
Bell's balance of strong community college experience and relative youth at age 57 bode well for a sustained run as NIC's leader. The college and the community will desperately need that, particularly with creation of the new College of Western Idaho, which will compete for funding, personnel and general goodwill with NIC and College of Southern Idaho.
In her words:
On a pragmatic, practical level, there will be an impact on North Idaho College. If as expected CWI grows rapidly and eclipses both NIC and CSI in enrollment, it could be troublesome. This is particularly true now that we receive state funding based on enrollment.
NIC must be focused, aggressive, and assure that our programs are relevant for today and for tomorrow. We must be willing to develop programs the region wants and needs, while retaining the quality of instruction that has made NIC great and that the region has come to expect. That is the most critical challenge ahead.
We think Priscilla Bell is up to the challenge. We heartily congratulate Dr. Bell on her appointment and commit to helping her and NIC for the betterment of the community.