October 27, 2003

Acting president for Alexandria Technical College named as search begins to replace Shellito

Jan Mahoney, chief financial officer, to become acting president effective Nov. 3

Contact: Nancy Conner, 651 296.0541, nancy.conner@so.mnscu.edu

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System Chancellor James H. McCormick today named Jan Mahoney as acting president of Alexandria Technical College, effective Nov. 3 when President Larry Shellito assumes leadership of the Minnesota National Guard.

A search for Shellito's replacement as president will begin immediately, said Bill Tschida, the system's vice chancellor for human resources.

Mahoney, the college's chief financial officer, will serve as acting president until the system Board of Trustees meets in December and names an interim president. Tschida plans to visit the college next week to discuss the search for Shellito's successor with the campus community.

"I am confident that Jan Mahoney will be an excellent acting president," Chancellor McCormick said. "She has 16 years of administrative experience at the college and is a key part of a strong leadership team developed by President Shellito."

Mahoney, an accounting graduate from Alexandria Technical College, holds a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Minnesota, Morris, and a master's degree in higher education administration from St. Cloud State University. In 1987, she came to the college as business manager and became chief financial officer in 1995.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty today appointed Shellito, who has been president of Alexandria Technical College since 1995, as adjutant general of the Minnesota National Guard.

"Larry Shellito has been an outstanding president for Alexandria Technical College - for its students, faculty and the community," Chancellor McCormick said. "He is a strong contributor to our systemwide leadership team and has led the way on the innovative use of technology in educational settings. Likewise, he has made the practice of continuous improvement a reality on the campus."

Board of Trustees Chair Jim A. Luoma said, "Alexandria Technical College has built a track record that will require a distinctive set of skills, qualifications and leadership style in its future president, and we look forward to getting the search process under way."

Shellito is major general in the National Guard and division commander with the 34th Infantry Division based in Rosemount. Shellito's educational background includes a bachelor's degree in accounting and business administration, a bachelor's degree in distributive education and a master's degree in business education, all from Minnesota State University Moorhead, and a doctorate in education from the University of Minnesota.

Shellito's career at the college began as a student teacher in 1972, and since then he has held a number of teaching and administrative positions while also serving in the military.

In his dual positions, Shellito has helped develop collaborative training and educational opportunities for troops. Currently, about 390 National Guard troops are taking college courses online in Bosnia and nearby countries through the Guard Online program, which involves nine Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, including Alexandria Technical College.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System comprises 33 state universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system serves about 240,000 students per year in credit-based courses and an additional 130,000 students in non-credit courses.

# # #

This document can be made available in alternative formats.