WCC Presidential Search Interview Survey
WCC students, employees, and members of the community are encouraged to share their feedback on each candidate using the WCC Presidential Search Interview Survey.
Open Forum Videos
April 6 – Dr. Dean Sprinkle
April 7 – Dr. Michael Robinson
April 8 – Dr. Hara Charlier
April 9 – Dr. Mark Smith
Open Forum Information and Candidate Bios
Wytheville Community College has scheduled a series of public forums April 6-9 for the finalists in the search for the new President of WCC.
The forums will each include a 10-minute presentation by the candidate, with a question-and-answer session to follow. All forums will be held in the Snyder Auditorium in Grayson Hall on the main WCC campus from 3-4 p.m.
The schedule is as follows:
April 6 – Dr. Dean Sprinkle
April 7 – Dr. Michael Robinson
April 8 – Dr. Hara Charlier
April 9 – Dr. Mark Smith
Dr. Dean E. Sprinkle is currently senior vice president of instruction at Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, NC, a position he has held since 2010. Previously he was vice president of instruction and student services at Wilkes from 2005-2010 and served as dean of student services 2003-2005 and institutional effectiveness officer 1997-2003. He joined Wilkes as a counselor in 1992, and prior to that served as staff psychologist for Tri-County Mental Health of Statesville and for Wake County Mental Health in Raleigh. He holds a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, a master’s in clinical psychology from Western Carolina University, a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University and an associate degree from Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, NC.
Dr. Michael M. Robinson is currently superintendent of Smyth County Public Schools, a position he has held since 2007. Previously he was assistant superintendent for instruction in Smyth County Public Schools 2005-2007, and also served as an adjunct professor at Old Dominion University and at the University of Virginia. He was assistant superintendent for Orange County Public Schools 2003-2005, principal of Prospect Heights Middle School in Orange County 2000-2003, and was assistant principal at Orange County High School and Charlottesville High School. He holds a doctorate in administration and supervision from the University of Virginia, as well as master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Louisiana Tech University.
Dr. Hara D. Charlier is currently vice president of instruction and student services for Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon, a position she has held since 2012. Previously she was dean of the life science and human services division and accreditation liaison at Blue Ridge Community College from 2010-2012, and interim vice president of instruction and student services at Blue Ridge 2009-2010. She was dean of life sciences and human services 2008-2009 and assistant professor of biology 2005-2007. She holds a doctorate in community college leadership from Old Dominion University; a master’s degree in microbiology from Miami University and a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University.
Dr. Mark A. Smith is currently vice president for educational services and chief academic officer at Temple College in Temple, Texas, a position he has held since 2009. Previously he was interim vice president for educational services 2008-2009 and was associate vice president for distance education from 2006-2010. He served as college director for student affairs and distance learning at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Gulfport, MS 2003-2006, and held additional administrative positions there in distance learning and workforce development. He earned a doctorate from Capella University, and also holds an MBA and bachelor’s degree from William Cary College in Hattiesburg, MS and associate degrees from Fort Steilacoom Community College in Tacoma, Washington and the Community College of the Air Force.
Candidates will also be interviewed by various committees at the college. VCCS Chancellor Glenn DuBois hopes to make the appointment by May 1. The appointee will replace Dr. Charlie White, who will retire June 30 after nine years as President of WCC and more than 40 years with the Virginia Community College System.
Search Process History
Dr. Charlie White, who has been the President of Wytheville Community College since 2006, has announced his retirement effective in June of 2015.
In the coming months, the Virginia Community College System will conduct a national search for WCC's next president. A search committee will be appointed by the VCCS Chancellor and both the chair and the co-chair will be VCCS presidents. Other members will include representatives from VCCS colleges with expertise in a variety of areas, as well as three WCC Board members. The committee's primary responsibilities include: 1) reviewing, screening, and evaluating the credentials and application materials of potential candidates; 2) selecting candidates for interviews; 3) interviewing candidates; and 4) recommending semi-finalists for consideration.
A typical presidential search will involve the top several candidates spending time in Richmond for a formal interview and presentation and to meet with the Chancellor and his cabinet. Three or four finalists will be selected to be vetted by an independent firm and certified by the Virginia State Board for Community Colleges. The finalists then will be invited to WCC to visit with various constituency groups prior to the selection of WCC's new president.
Updates and additional information, as soon as they are available, will be posted to this web page in order to keep the community informed about the process and progress of the search for the new WCC president.
Request for Input
To assist with the presidential search process, WCC stakeholders are asked to participate in a presidential search survey. The college is seeking the input of WCC students, faculty, staff, administrators, college and foundation board members, as well as community members, community leaders, and WCC alumni.
The information gathered from the survey will be utilized to develop expectations for WCC and the next President. This is an important step that will guide the VCCS in creating recruiting materials for the next step in the search process. Please use this opportunity to share your vision of how WCC can meet the challenges and opportunities it faces.
Responses to the survey will be strictly anonymous. Click here to take the survey. The survey will be available through October 30, 2014.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to contribute to this step of the presidential search process.