Presidential Position Overview
Applications and Expressions of Interest May be Submitted Electronically on this site or send to: ICCpresidentsearch24@indycc.edu
For additional information about this position and Independence Community College go to: www.indycc.edu
The Role of the President
The President will oversee all aspects of the College operations. Critical responsibilities include providing strategic leadership, ensuring effective governance, securing ICC’s financial sustainability, and championing academic excellence that will build relationships that benefit ICC and its broader community while maintaining a campus culture that ensures all students, faculty and staff feel that they belong at ICC.
Strategic Leadership
As Chief Executive Officer of the College, the President provides visionary leadership and assumes full responsibility for the organization, administration, and leadership of ICC. The President provides leadership that is both consistent with the character of the College as an academic institution and advances the mission and vision of the College.
Institutional Governance
Working closely with the Board of Trustees administration, faculty, and staff, the President must ensure transparent and accountable decision-making processes while making certain the College complies with all applicable laws and accreditation standards.
Financial Stewardship
The President secures the financial sustainability of the College through prudent resource management, resource allocation, and revenue generation strategies. The President will develop and manage the annual budget in collaboration with the Board of Trustees.
Academic Excellence
The President promotes a rigorous academic environment that supports and enhances student development and success, retention, graduation rates, excellence in teaching, and faculty scholarship. The President will be expected to ensure compliance to all accreditation requirements and processes; maintain knowledge of program review cycles as well ensure compliance with relevant regulations, legislation, and reporting requirements.
External Relations and Fund Raising
The President cultivates strategic partnerships with alumni, donors, government agencies, industry leaders and other stakeholders to enhance the reputation of the College and secure financial support for its initiatives.
Community Engagement
The President will be expected to build upon the College’s image and community relations through activities and partnerships with educational, civic, business organizations, and underrepresented groups within the service area.
Leadership Priorities
Enhance Fiscal Services
The President will bring strong business acumen, with an understanding of ICC’s unique dual role as both an institution of higher education and a business entity. They will also have a demonstrated history of successful fundraising, securing financial support, effective budgeting, and managing productive relationships with external partners and contractors.
Grow Enrollment and Enhance Student Retention
The President will inspire faculty and staff to continuously pursue innovative strategies for attracting and enrolling new students, fostering student success, and strengthening partnerships with local educational institutions, businesses, and industries.
Support Academic Growth
The next President will exemplify a deep understanding of and commitment to a curriculum that empowers students to discover their vocations. By supporting existing academic programs and collaborating with trustees, faculty, staff, they will identify and champion new initiatives that align with the evolving needs and aspirations of 21st-century students.
Invest in People
ICC’s faculty and staff for a close-knit community deeply dedicated to the institution. The President will demonstrate a similar commitment by strategically increasing staffing, promoting sustainable workloads, and ensuring competitive compensation for all employees. Furthermore, the President will support faculty and staff in achieving excellence by providing the necessary resources and opportunities to meet the highest professional standards.
Financial Acumen
Extensive experience in managing the financial and budgeting operations of a complex organization is essential for this role. Such expertise will provide the foundation for effectively overseeing all key business functions of the college. Additionally, a strong understanding of the importance of establishing an enterprise risk management framework, including financial audits, and experience in developing and implementing mitigation strategies, would be highly advantageous.
Servant Leadership
The President must demonstrate the ability to cultivate a collaborative work environment that upholds the dignity of all individuals while balancing the needs of students, faculty, staff, and the institution as a whole. This leadership approach will require a blend of wisdom, resilience, humility, and empathy.
Maintain and Strengthen Ties
The President will enhance relationships across campus and among alumni, with a focus on expanding partnerships in the local community, across Kansas, and beyond. As the Institution’s chief ambassador, the President will articulate the inspiring history, dynamic present, and promising future of ICC. They will further elevate the College’s reputation and strengthen community ties through active engagement and partnerships with educational, civic, and business organizations, as well as underrepresented groups with the service area.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- A doctorate from an accredited college or university.
- Two years relevant experience in higher education or a related field, at the senior management level.
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally, and to persuade a variety of audiences.
- Ability to lead a diverse organization and inspire others to achieve the vision, mission, and strategic plan of the college.
- Knowledge of the role of public two-year institutions in community and workforce development, rural setting preferred.
Application Process
Application Deadline: December 31, 2024
ICC offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience, and a generous benefit package which includes but is not limited to vacation, sick leave, personal time, medical, dental, vision insurance, HSA, FSA, long term disability, Kansas Retirement (KPERS), and life insurance. A car is also available for college use.
In your confidential application, please include:
A letter of interest summarizing your qualifications and work experience corresponding to the priorities noted in this President Position overview.
A current Curriculum Vitae.
The names and contact information (phone and email) of at least five (5) professional references. Please ensure at least two of the references provided are previous supervisor references.
Note: No references will be contacted without prior notification.
To receive full consideration, application materials should be received by December 31, 2024.
The anticipated starting date of this position is no later than July 1, 2025.
ICC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, national origin, sex, gender, sexuality or LGBTQIAP+ identity, age, ancestry, tenure, disability, pregnancy, marital status, parental status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other factors that cannot be lawfully considered in its programs and activities as required by all applicable laws and regulations.
Independence Community College (ICC) is a two-year educational institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It was established in 1925 as grades 13 and 14 of the Independence public school system. In 1967, Independence Community College legally separated from the school district. Construction of the new community college on a 68 acre campus, formerly the Independence Country Club, began in 1969. Classes at the new site began in September 1970. ICC campus is now home to the Academic Building, Fine Arts Building, Student Union, Cessna Learning Center, Field House, Administration Building, William Inge Center for the Arts, fitness center, athletic practice fields, disc golf course, 96-bed multi-structure living complex, and a 200 bed residence hall.
By renovating a donated building, in 2010, we expanded our college to include ICC West (2615 West Main Street). This campus is located on the west side of Independence and is home to our technical programs: Allied Health, Cosmetology, and GED/ABE. Additional renovations were completed in 2012 to accomodate our newest program, Veterinary Technology. This state-of-the-art facility includes animal wards, a classroom, lab, surgery, pharmacy, prep room, small animal treatment, food prep, grooming, and radiology.
ICC also maintains presence downtown through the ICC Foundation office and by partnering with the Independence Business Resource Center.
Currently, our educational and support programming includes 35 programs of study for Associates of Arts and/or Science degrees, 11 programs of study for Certificate completion, Student Support Services, Upward Bound, men's and women's athletic programs, and a variety of campus organizations and activities.
Mission Statement
Independence Community College serves the best interests of students and the community by providing academic excellence while promoting cultural enrichment and economic development.
Vision Statement
To be a community college that provides an exceptional educational experience by cultivating intellect, encouraging creativity, and enhancing character in a student and community centered environment.
Core Values
- Integrity: ICC holds its employees and students accountable to be honest, ethical, and transparent.
- Excellence: ICC demonstrates continuous quality improvement in academics and services offered to students and other stakeholders.
- Responsiveness: ICC looks to the future by responding to the emerging needs of its stakeholders.
- Diversity/Enrichment: ICC provides an environment that values uniqueness while promoting personal growth through creativity and innovation.
- Commitment: ICC commits to making decisions that best serve its students and community.
