Three finalists recommended for Central Lakes College presidency
February 27, 2006
Contact: Melinda Voss, (651) 296-9443, melinda.voss@so.mnscu.edu
The names of three finalists for president of Central Lakes College have been submitted to the chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, James H. McCormick. The candidates are Joyce Helens, Larry Lundblad and Cathleen Royer.
The finalists were recommended by a search committee chaired by Don Supalla, president of Rochester Community and Technical College.
Joyce Helens has served as the executive director of University of Alaska Corporate Programs since 1999. Previously, she was the associate dean for instruction and dean at the University of Alaska Anchorage; president of Peninsula College of Port Angeles, Wash.; executive dean of Collin County Community College, McKinney, Texas; and director of instruction and Maywood Park Center Campus at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Ore. She is completing an Ed.D. program in higher education administration from Portland State University, has a master's degree in English from Portland State University and a bachelor's degree in English from St. Martin's College in Lacey, Wash. Helens also is a candidate for the presidency of St. Cloud Technical College.
Larry Lundblad has served as senior vice president of academic affairs at South Central College since 1993. Previously, he was dean of curriculum and instruction at South Central's North Mankato campus, and a curriculum specialist and instructor at South Central. He holds a doctorate with an emphasis in career and technical education, training development and adult education from the University of Minnesota; two master's degrees from Minnesota State University, Mankato, one in industry psychology and one in continuing studies; two bachelor's degrees, one in horticulture and agronomy from Iowa State University and one in history and political science from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Cathleen Royer has served as provost and dean of academic affairs at Mesabi Range Community and Technical College in Eveleth since 2004. Previously, she was associate vice president of academics at Central Lakes College; director of planning, research and assessment at Central Lakes; a University of Minnesota Leadership Academy administrative intern; a counselor and North Central Association co-coordinator at Brainerd Community College; acting vice provost at Brainerd Community College; associate dean of students at Lakewood Community College in White Bear Lake, and student services program coordinator at Brainerd Community College. Royer holds an Ed.D. from the University of Minnesota in higher education administration and leadership, a master's degree in counseling and college student personnel from Minnesota State University, Mankato; and a bachelor's degree in health and physical education from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter.
The new president will replace Joseph Opatz, who has served as interim president since July. Chancellor McCormick, along with one to three members of the Board of Trustees, will conduct interviews with the finalists. McCormick will make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees, which could act on the recommendation at its regular meeting March 22. Central Lakes College has campuses in Brainerd and Staples, serving more than 4,000 students in credit courses annually and providing a variety of educational programs and delivery options.
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 state universities, community colleges, technical colleges and combined community and technical colleges located on 53 campuses across the state. The system serves approximately 240,000 students annually in credit-based courses and another 130,000 in non-credit courses.
