3 months after president fired, LCC reviews options to hire replacement

To save money on its search for a new president, the Lower Columbia College Board of Trustees is considering a hybrid model where LCC's human resources department takes on some of the work that would normally be completed by a search firm.

The board discussed the possibility at its Wednesday meeting, but did not make any final decisions.

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Human Resources Director Samantha Orth said at the meeting that having a search firm is helpful because it brings in a third party to gather input from stakeholders. However, she said the HR department would likely be able to handle some of the administrative work, which would save the college money.

"It's very, very expensive to hire a search firm," Orth said.

LCC recently had to make budget cuts due to reductions in state funding, which included laying off some staff members.

During its previous presidential search, LCC hired a search firm to oversee the full process, but the HR department still ended up doing a lot of work, Orth said.

She also suggested that LCC could join another community college's search firm contract rather than putting out its own request for proposals, which would not affect the cost but would save time.

A number of other community colleges are also currently looking for new presidents, she said.

If all goes well, Orth estimated that it will take about a year to find a new president. The board would likely conduct interviews during the winter quarter and make a decision in the spring, and the new president would start on July 1, 2027.

Vice President of Instruction Kristen Finnel currently serves as interim president after the board voted in January to terminate former President Matt Seimears' contract.

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