President

Independence Community College (ICC) is seeking a new president with outstanding leadership qualities, proven success leading dynamic complex organizations, and a demonstrated ability to build partnerships with key stakeholders.

The successful candidate will have a proven professional track record demonstrating the following leadership talents:

Leads Effectively – has a demonstrated ability to lead and manage a large, multi-site, complex higher education organization and to work effectively with a governing board. Individuals who have demonstrated the aforementioned leadership and management in industries other than higher education are urged to apply.

Articulates Strategic Vision – is able to articulate a shared vision for the future of ICC, communicate the vision to the broader community, and execute on strategic priorities. Has an understanding of the disruption taking place in higher education and articulates a shared sense of direction for the College to continue to rise to higher levels of excellence.

Prioritizes Academic Excellence – supports, appreciates, and prioritizes academic excellence and student success and its importance to faculty, students, their families and the broader community.

Recognizes and Respects the Political Landscape – is politically astute and able to develop and maintain working relationships with national, state, and local government officials to advocate for ICC and its students.

Demonstrates Fundraising Capabilities – is able to develop and cultivate relationships with potential donors and work with the Independence Community College Foundation.

Values and Embraces Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – champions viewpoint diversity and values civic education, academic freedom and diverse perspectives that enable a respectful environment of free and open inquiry. Has an understanding and appreciation of the importance of all campuses having students, faculty and staff from different perspectives and backgrounds where diverse views are not just permitted but encouraged in a reasoned search for truth.

Builds Partnerships – understands the role that ICC plays in the community, including workforce and economic development, and is able to develop innovative, synergistic partnerships with other higher education institutions as well as businesses and industries to enhance the College.

Other Relevant Experience and Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university; Doctorate preferred.
• One year of formal training, internship or leadership experience reasonably related to an administrator’s administrative assignment.
• Understanding of, sensitivity to and respect for the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of Independence Community College’s students, faculty, staff and community.
• Possess collaborative, accurate and responsible work habits.
• High degree of commitment to ethical and professional standards, including adherence to general rules of safety, policies, procedures and fair business standards.
• Clear evidence of ability to complete large, complex projects in a self-directed work environment.
• Serve as an ambassador for ICC, helping to maintain and promote a positive reputation for the college in the community.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to lead a team effectively.

Knowledge of:

• Advanced principles, practices and theories of higher education.
• Advanced principles and practices of program development and administration.
• College accreditation.
• Principles and practices of personnel management.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.

History

Independence Community College (ICC) is a two-year educational institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.  ICC was established in 1925 as grades 13 and 14 of the Independence public school system.  In 1967, Independence Community College legally separated from the Independence Kansas school district.  Construction of the new community college on a 68-acre campus, formerly the Independence Country Club, began in 1969. Classes at the new site began in September 1970.  ICC campus is now home to the Academic Building, Fine Arts Building, Student Union, Cessna Learning Center, Field House, Administration Building, William INGE Center for the Arts, athletic practice fields, disc golf course, 96-bed multi-structure living complex, and a 200 bed residence hall.

In 2010, ICC expanded to include the ICC West Campus located at 2615 West Main Street Independence, Kansas by renovating a donated building, ICC-WEST is located on the west side of Independence and is home to our technical programs:  Allied Health, Cosmetology, and GED/ABE.  In 2012, additional renovations were completed to house our newest technical program, Veterinary Technology.  This state-of-the-art facility includes animal wards, a classroom, lab, surgery, pharmacy, prep room, small animal treatment, food prep, grooming, and radiology. 

ICC also maintains presence downtown through the ICC Foundation office and by partnering with the Independence Business Resource Center.

Currently, our educational and support programming includes 35 programs of study for Associates of Arts and/or Science degrees, 11 programs for study for Certificate completion, Student Support Services, Upward Bound, men's and women's athletic programs, and a variety of campus organizations and activities.

Mission

Independence Community College serves the best interests of students and the community by providing academic excellence while promoting cultural enrichment and economic development.

Vision

To be a community college that provides an exceptional educational experience by cultivating intellect, encouraging creativity, and enhancing character in a student and community centered environment.

Core Values

• Integrity:ICC holds its employees and students accountable to be honest, ethical, and transparent.

• Excellence:ICC demonstrates continuous quality improvement in academics and services offered to students and other stakeholders.

• Responsiveness:ICC looks to the future by responding to the emerging needs of its stakeholders.

• Diversity/Enrichment:ICC provides an environment that values uniqueness while promoting personal growth through creativity and innovation.

• Commitment:ICC commits to making decisions that best serve its students and community.

 Purpose Statements

In striving to meet its institutional responsibilities as a community college, Independence Community College sets forth the following purpose statements in definition of its educational programs and services. These statements also serve as criteria for the administration, faculty, staff, students, and the public in assessing the College's effectiveness in meeting its institutional mission.

Achieving Junior Level Transfer Status

• Students who have completed either a prescribed Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree programs at Independence Community College should be able to transfer to select four-year colleges or universities with junior status. The College establishes and maintains transfer agreements with select institutions to facilitate the transfer ability of its academic programs.

• Achieving Entry Level Occupational Skills
  Students who have completed either a prescribed Career/Technical Education Certificate or Associate of Applied Science degree program will have acquired the requisite skills for obtaining employment or advancement in the field of that educational program.

• Promoting and Providing Life-Long Learning Opportunities
  The College provides individuals with the means to upgrade their job skills and to improve the quality of their lives through academic endeavors.

• Achieving Basic Skills and/or College Readiness
  Through academic and other support services, students can achieve the proficiency required for continuance in higher education, for employment, or for day-to-day communication and computation.

• Participating in College and Community Sponsored Activities
  Students attending Independence Community College can participate in a wide variety of activities aimed at broadening their social, political, physical, and cultural horizons.

Application Process

Full job-posting at https://www.indycc.edu/about-us/human-resources/icc-presidental-search. 

The Presidential Search Committee will review applications as they are submitted and will continue until the position is filled. 

Application materials must be submitted electronically to Lori Boots, Vice President of Human Resources at ICCPresidentSearch2021@indycc.edu.  Application materials should consist of three separate documents:

• a substantive cover letter addressing the leadership profile noted above,
• a full Curriculum Vitae (CV), and
• contact information for five professional references. References will not be contacted without the explicit permission of the candidate and at later stage of the search.

Candidates who advance as semifinalists are expected to be available for initial Zoom interviews.  Finalists are expected to travel to the ICC campus for final interviews.