CCC names five finalists for president's job

Clovis Community College on Monday released a list of five finalists for its president’s position.

Two of the finalists have Texas ties, the others come from Arizona, Oregon and Maryland.

Interim CCC President Robin Jones was not among the finalists and it’s still not clear if she applied for the job though she said she had interest.

Jones, who was out of town on Monday, did not respond to questions emailed from The News. CCC Trustees Chair Lora Harlan declined to say whether Jones applied for the job.

All of the finalists are scheduled to be interviewed by trustees and participate in an “open community forum,” according to a college news release.

The finalists and dates they are scheduled to be in Clovis are:

• Jonathan Fuentes (March 13), vice president of academic partnerships at Odessa College in Odessa, Texas.

• Barbara Beebe (March 14), president of Western Texas College in Snyder, Texas.

• Morgan Phillips (March 15), vice chancellor for academic excellence at Pima Community College in Tucson, Ariz.

• Christopher Breitmeyer (March 21), former president of Clatsop Community College in Astoria, Ore.

• Bryan Newton (March 22), vice president for enrollment management and student services at Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury, Md.

Jones has been interim president since trustees placed Charles Nwankwo on administrative leave in August 2022. Nwankwo resigned Feb. 1, 2023, without explanation, though several employee groups on the CCC campus issued “no confidence” votes on his leadership.

Trustees have said they hope to select a new president by April.

A search committee hired by trustees narrowed a field of about 50 applicants to the five announced Monday. Trustees are now expected to select Nwankwo’s successor from among the finalists.

“I’m looking for a person who’ll get to know the community, local officials, interested in economic development and is a progressive leader for the faculty and staff on campus,” Harlan said.

Here are bios of the finalists, as posted by CCC:

• Jonathan Fuentes is Vice President of Academic Partnerships at Odessa College, in Odessa, Texas.

Fuentes previously served as the Assistant Superintendent of Business and Support Services with additional service as Interim Superintendent at Pecos-Barstow-Toyah Independent School District, in Pecos, Texas.

Fuentes earned a Doctor of Philosophy of Political Science with specializations in American Government, Public Policy and Administration, Comparative Government, and Education Policy from the University of Michigan, a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Harvard University.

• Barbara Beebe is President of Western Texas College in Snyder, Texas.

Beebe previously served as Vice President of Workforce Development and Continuing Education at Allegany College of Maryland in Cumberland, Maryland.

Beebe holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Postsecondary and Adult Education from Capella University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, a bachelor’s degree from Southern Vermont College, and an associate degree from Berkshire Community College.

• Morgan Phillips serves as the Vice Chancellor for Academic Excellence at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona. Previously, Phillips served as Vice Chancellor of Educational Partnerships and Campus President for the Pima Community College District.

Phillips earned a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration and an Education Specialists Degree from the University of Florida, a Master of Science in Mathematical Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies from the University of Central Florida, an Associate of Arts in Pre-Engineering Studies from Brevard Community College, an Associate in Applied Science in Interpreter Education, Signed Languages from Blue Ridge Community College, and an Associate in General Studies from Pima Community College.

• Christopher Breitmeyer most recently served as the President of Clatsop Community College in Astoria, Oregon. Mr. Breitmeyer previously served as the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at St. Charles Community College in Cottleville, Missouri.

Mr. Breitmeyer holds a Master of Science in Zoology from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Illinois State University.

• Bryan Newton, serves as the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services at Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury, Maryland.

Previously, Newton was the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Experience at Aiken Technical College in Graniteville, South Carolina. Newton holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Education and Human Resource Studies from Colorado State University, a Juris Doctorate from The Ohio State University College of Law, and a bachelor’s degree in history from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.