Shirley Metcalf

The Central Oregon Community College board plans to appoint Extended Learning Dean Shirley Metcalf as the college’s interim president beginning next fall. Current President Jim Middleton will also postpone his planned retirement by two months to help with the transition.

Metcalf’s appointment, which board members agreed to unanimously Monday, is contingent on contract negotiations. She will assume the position September 15.

The action follows the board’s decision Wednesday to abandon the college’s selected candidate for the permanent president position. After announcing plans to appoint Patrick Lanning as the college’s next president, COCC discovered Lanning was on paid administrative leave from his current employer, a fact he did not disclose during the vetting process.

Lanning, 48, is chief academic officer of instruction and student services for the Chemeketa Community College District and president of its Yamhill Valley Campus in McMinnville.

“We’re really disappointed with last week’s failed search, quote, unquote,” Metcalf said. “If the board feels I have the background, skills and experience to get us to the permanent role, I’m truly honored. I love this college and community, and will give it my heart and soul.”

Metcalf, who said she will not seek the permanent position following her one-year appointment, has been at the college since 2011. In her current role, Metcalf oversees COCC campuses in Redmond, Prineville and Madras, as well as the college’s noncredit instruction. For a five-month period beginning in February 2013, Metcalf served as the college’s interim vice president for instruction.

Metcalf began her career at Hawaii Community College, where she became a tenured professor in business and a dean. Before moving to COCC, she served as an executive vice president for instruction and vice president for advancement at Lake Washington Institute of Technology in Kirkland, Wash. In 2010, she was a finalist to be the president of South Seattle Community College.

COCC Board Chairman Bruce Abernethy said Metcalf has the skills and experience “to help the college make a smooth transition.” He noted that during her period as interim vice president, she was “very well received by staff and students.”

Abernethy said the board considered only internal candidates for the position, noting Vice President for Administration Matt McCoy was also a candidate.

“Matt asked to not be considered,” Abernethy said. “We have a great staff and felt comfortable with our decision. If Shirley had said no, we might not have felt so comfortable.”

Middleton, who has served as president for a decade, will postpone his planned June 30 retirement until September. In the meantime, the board said Metcalf will likely assume more responsibility to prepare for the transition. Abernethy also said Middleton may continue in a smaller role after September, working as “a mentor, lobbyist or to provide other support,” if Metcalf so desires.

Middleton praised Metcalf, saying, “Some people say they are dedicated, but with her, it’s truly the case that she is dedicated to the college. She will provide the calming and stabilizing influence the college needs in this transition.”

Metcalf said her goals for the next academic year are to “calm everyone down following what happened” and to “build trust in the board as they prepare to choose the college’s next president.”

COCC will begin a new presidential search process next fall, hoping to have someone secured for the beginning of the 2015-16 school year.

— Reporter: 541-633-2160, tleeds@bendbulletin.com