The college's trustees will discuss comments from people at the candidates' home campuses before making a decision.
By REBECCA CATALANELLO
Published October 26, 2004
NEW PORT RICHEY - Pasco-Hernando Community College is expected to name its third president during a 7 o'clock meeting tonight.
But there's one last thing for trustees to discuss: the candidates' home teams.
Since they last met as a board, two PHCC trustees visited each of the three candidates' home campuses to interview about 40 folks who know best how each of the applicants operates in real life.
"What we really attempted to do was establish a profile on each one," said trustee Tom Weightman, who joined PHCC board chairwoman Judy Parker in conducting the fact-finding interviews.
In line for the top job are: Carl Hite, 58, president of Cleveland State Community College in Tennessee; Katherine Johnson, 53, president of Nash Community College in North Carolina; and internal candidate Paul Szuch, 58, vice president of educational services for PHCC.
Here's a summary of the report that search coordinator Sherry Thomas-Dertke submitted to trustees after debriefing Weightman and Parker on their interviews with the candidates' colleagues and students.
-- Hite - Folks at Cleveland State called Hite a "nice man," "enthusiastic and energetic" who is good with students, generates ideas and lets people do their jobs. Faculty and staff voiced issues with a vice president Hite hired, saying he "took too long to recognize the problem and/or do something about it." The vice president has since been replaced.
Summary: "There were no detractors. However, there apparently was a lot of rancor about the VP who was brought in and left, but that this feeling appears to have issipated. He seems to be liked and doing a good job, especially in comparison to some previous presidents."
-- Johnson - Respondents from Nash said Johnson is "extremely hard-working," "fair," "active in community," known by students, excellent at raising money, good at getting grants and using data to make decisions, "lets you do your job," and worked hard to get raises and first-ever bonuses,.
Summary: "There was a universal wish expressed that she remain at NCC. There were at least two people who began to cry at the thought of her leaving. There was not a single negative word voiced about her."
-- Szuch - Respondents from PHCC said Szuch is intelligent, hard-working and qualified and has a broad knowledge and understanding of PHCC. There is a perception, the interviewers found, that "he does not foster inclusiveness," "he says something one time and later contradicts it," and he "practices top-down management."
Summary: "Szuch has a few very strong supporters and a few very strong opponents. The feeling of the majority of those interviewed appeared to be that he would be an acceptable, qualified president but that now is a perfect time to bring in some "new blood."'
Whoever is chosen tonightoct. 26 to replace Judson in his $159,000-a-year job is expected to take the reins Feb. 1. The special board meeting will be held in Building C of PHCC's west campus in New Port Richey. It is open to the public.
-- Rebecca Catalanello can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6241 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6241. Her e-mail address is rcatalanello@sptimes.com
