Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) has named three semifinalists who are under consideration to be president of Minnesota State Community and Technical College. The candidates are Martyn Clay, Cheri Jimeno and Ron Langrell III.

The candidates were recommended by a search advisory committee composed of students, faculty, staff and community leaders and chaired by Joyce Helens, president of St. Cloud Technical and Community College. The three candidates will visit each of the college's four campuses - Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead and Wadena - during the week of April 16. The campus visits present an opportunity for faculty, staff, students and members of the community to meet and offer feedback on each of the candidates.

Martyn Clay has served as provost for academic and student affairs at Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell since 2010. Previously, he was vice president of student affairs and enrollment services at Bainbridge College in Georgia; associate vice president of academic and student affairs, college registrar and director of admissions at St. Petersburg College in Florida; associate university registrar and assistant university registrar at Southeast Missouri State University; and is retired from active duty in the U.S. Army. Clay holds a bachelor's degree from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, a master's degree from Webster University in Missouri and an Ed.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His visits to the Minnesota State Community and Technical College campuses will take place April 18-19.

Cheri Jimeno has served as president of New Mexico State University Alamogordo since 2007. Previously, she was the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs and a professor of business at Montana State University-Northern; dean of the School of Education, Business and Technology,associate professor and department chair of business at the University of Montana -Western and a Fulbright lecturer at the College of the Bahamas. Jimeno holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Montana, Missoula; a master's degree from Montana State University, Bozeman; and a Ph.D. from Utah State University. Her visits to the Minnesota State Community and Technical College campuses will take place April 16-17.

Ron Langrell III has served as executive vice president at Riverland Community College since August 2005. Previously, he served as vice president of instruction and instructional director of vocational-technical and continuing education, and instructional director of continuing education at Walla Walla Community College in Washington; and director of student services personnel at the College of Southern Idaho. Langrell holds a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, and an education specialist degree, all from the University of Idaho; and a Ph.D. from Florida State University. His visits to the Minnesota State Community and Technical College campuses will take place April 18-19.

The MnSCU Board of Trustees is expected to act on Chancellor Steven Rosenstone's recommendation on a final candidate at its May 16 meeting. The new president is expected to begin July 1, 2012.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system includes 24 two-year community and technical colleges and seven state universities. It is the fifth largest higher education system of its kind in the United States. Each year, more than 420,000 students from all walks of life attend MnSCU colleges and universities for undergraduate and graduate degree, certificate and diploma programs, training and retraining classes and courses to enrich their lives. MnSCU educates:

  • 63 percent of Minnesota's undergraduates;
  • 49 percent of the state's new teaching graduates;
  • More than 80 percent of new nursing, construction trades, law enforcement and mechanics graduates; and
  • 9,000 firefighters and emergency first responders each year.

These are recent high school graduates, adult learners, workers and professionals retooling to meet the current and future needs of Minnesota's businesses. More than 80 percent of MnSCU graduates stay in Minnesota to work or continue their education. Nearly 86 percent of MnSCU graduates get jobs related to their field of study. In addition, MnSCU partners with 6,000 employers throughout the state to provide customized training to 122,000 employees, helping to ensure that these Minnesota companies remain competitive. MnSCU delivers the most affordable and cost effective higher education option in Minnesota.

Minnesota's 31 state community and technical colleges, and universities serve more than 420,000 students across the state.

Source: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities