McHenry County College has issued the following press release on the contract signing with new President Vicky Smith:

MCC WELCOMES NEW PERMANENT PRESIDENT

[July 9, 2010.Crystal Lake, IL] At a special board meeting held on July 9, 2010, Dr. Vicky Smith and MCC Board Chair Mary Miller signed a contract confirming Smith’s agreement to serve as McHenry County College’s next president.

After an eight-month presidential search process, the Board selected Smith as the College’s new president due to her extensive leadership experience, her can-do attitude and her ability to move higher education institutions forward.

“The Board is excited about working with Dr. Smith,” said Miller.

“She brings new ideas and great experience to the College. With our current economic conditions, we expect MCC’s enrollment increase to continue. Dr. Smith has experience with moving a college forward while increasing its financial security. She did all of that at Neosho.”

Over the past seven-and-a-half years, Smith has served as the president of Neosho County Community College, a two-campus, comprehensive community college in eastern Kansas. Before going to Neosho County Community College, she was the vice president for Academic Services at Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York, where she oversaw the Damon Center urban campus and the suburban Applied Technology Center, as well as the academic and student services operations on the main campus.

Her prior experience includes her role as president of Austin Community College, a small community college in the Minnesota State Colleges and University System. She is passionate about community colleges and their role in changing peoples’ lives. She has devoted her career to ensuring that students are learning and that an environment is created where they can succeed at whatever they choose.

For Smith, the decision to come to MCC wasn’t a difficult one. A native of Illinois, and raised on a grain farm outside Decatur, Illinois, she is excited to come back to her home state and be near family again. More importantly, Smith sees tremendous opportunity at MCC.

“I like working with institutions that have good bones, dedicated employees and a strong focus on the student learning experience. There are great possibilities at MCC, and it’s in a growing and thriving community. I want to help move the College forward and take it to the next level,”

Smith added.

On a personal level, Smith said she feels a connection with MCC and the county itself.

“The community has a sincerity about it, and the people seem great. Plus, it will be nice to be in an area that is accessible and provides many things to do.”

According to Dr. Tony Miksa, vice president of Academic and Student Affairs, there is a general excitement around Smith’s arrival at the College.

“I personally am eager to start working with Dr. Smith. She brings a great deal of leadership experience to MCC at a time when things are really starting to move forward.”

When Smith begins her new role at MCC, she will focus much of her efforts on partnering with the Board to set a strategic direction for the College, followed by finalizing the institution’s strategic plan.

Smith said,

“I look forward to working collaboratively with trustees to establish a common vision for MCC moving forward. I also plan to devote a great deal of time to talking with employees one-on-one, as well as getting out into the community and speaking with citizens.”

Other areas of focus for Smith will include enrollment, the College’s ERP project, and funding, including grant writing.

Smith received an Educational Specialist (Ed. Spec.) and B.S. degree from Eastern Illinois University, an M.S. from the University of Illinois, and an Ed.D. from Northern Illinois University.

“We look forward to her leadership and thank everyone for their continued support of the College. It is a fantastic place to learn,” Miller concluded.

Smith will officially begin her new position on Monday, August 16, 2010. Dates for Smith’s installation and reception will be announced soon.