February 16, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Suzanne Ernst (702) 889-8426

Regents' Committee Names Three Finalists for TMCC Presidency

RENO, Nevada-A Nevada Board of Regents committee yesterday selected three finalists for the presidency of Truckee Meadows Community College.

The Regents' ad hoc Truckee Meadows Community College Presidential Search Committee met yesterday with members of the Advisory Committee to interview six candidates for this position. The committee will convene again on Tuesday, March 5 to make the final selection, and will then present the recommendation to the entire Board of Regents at its next meeting, scheduled for March 6 - 7 at the University of Nevada, Reno.

"After a comprehensive and thorough interview process, we are pleased to announce the three finalists for the presidency of Truckee Meadows Community College: Dr. Cynthia E. Azari, Dr. Berton L. Glandon and Dr. Philip M. Ringle," said Regent Jill Derby, chair of the search committee. "Each candidate brings with him or her a wealth of experience, determination and knowledge, and we look forward to each of them touring the campus in the coming weeks and meeting with students, faculty, staff and representative of the community."

• Dr. Cynthia E. Azari is vice president of instruction at Olympic College is Bremerton, Wash., where she previously served as the associate dean for business and technology. Prior to her experiences at this college, Dr. Azari served as director of the Education and Publications Division of the State Property Tax Board in Austin, Texas; associate director of admissions and technical coordinator at Austin Community College in Austin, Texas; technical assistance consultant with Region IV Education Service Center in Houston, Texas; and curriculum coordinator at St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas. Dr. Azari earned her Ed.D. in educational leadership from Seattle University in Seattle, Wash.
  
  
• Dr. Berton L. Glandon currently holds the position of president of Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Ore. He previously served as acting dean of faculty at Clark College in Vancouver, Wash., where he also worked as associate dean of Instruction. Dr. Glandon worked for 10 years at South Seattle Community College in Seattle, Wash. in such positions as assistant to the president; director of Development and Community Relations; and director of Grants and Contracts. On the teaching side, Dr. Glandon was a faculty member at South Seattle Community College as well as an adjunct faculty member at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Wash. Dr. Glandon earned his Ed.D. in educational administration from Brigham Young University in Provo, UT.
  
  
• Dr. Philip M. Ringle is the vice president of institutional advancement at the Community College of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Penn. Prior to his current positions Dr. Ringle was dean of Planning and Development at Essex Community College in Baltimore County, Md. At Catonsville Community College in Catonsville, Md., Dr. Ringle held several different positions, including director of Human and Fiscal Resource Development; assistant to the president; director of Counseling, Career Development, Advising, Placement, Health Service and Child Care; and coordinator of Career Development and Placement. He also has several years teaching experience at the college level. Dr. Ringle earned his Ph.D. in higher education administration from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.

Dr. Rita Huneycutt has been serving as interim president of Truckee Meadows Community College since January 1, 2001. She will retire from the college on June 30, 2002.

In addition to Regent Derby, members of the Board committee include Thalia Dondero, Dorothy Gallagher, Douglas Roman Hill and Howard Rosenberg. A 13-member advisory committee comprised of faculty, staff, student and community members also played a role in the selection process.

Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) is a full-service, first-class community college that delivers high quality education to a diverse student body of more than 11,000 students. With over 40 sites countywide, TMCC is now the fastest growing college in northern Nevada, offering programs that lead to associate degrees and certificates in more than 40 academic and occupational areas.

The Nevada Board of Regents is the elected, 11-member governing body for the University and Community College System of Nevada. Comprising two doctoral granting universities, a state college, four comprehensive community colleges and one internationally acclaimed research institute, the UCCSN serves the educational and job training needs of the nation's fastest growing state. As Nevada's only system of higher education, the UCCSN provides educational opportunities to nearly 100,000 students.

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