Four finalists have been selected by the Mercer County Community College Board of Trustees’ Presidential Search Committee following a nationwide search for the college’s next president, which was supported by R.H. Perry & Associates.

During its monthly meeting on Thursday, February 17, 2022, the Board announced the names of the four presidential candidates. According to Kevin Drennan, Chair of the Search Committee and Board Treasurer, the finalists were selected from more than 60 applicants for the position.

“I want to thank the members of the Presidential Search Committee. Their dedication to a thorough and extensive process has led to the selection of four equally deserving candidates to serve as our next President,” Drennan said. “We are confident that all four finalists have the experience and skills to move the college forward and address the challenges in higher education today.”

The finalists for the presidency are Warren Haynes, Interim Vice President for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Metropolitan Community College District; Deborah Preston, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Raritan Valley Community College; Matthew Reed, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Brookdale Community College; and Patrick Tompkins, Vice President for Academic, Student & Workforce Education, Eastern Shore Community College. Each of the four candidates will visit MCCC the week of March 7 to participate in interviews and open forums with a range of campus constituents, as well as members of the community.

Mark Matzen, Chair of the Board of Trustees, stated, “The exceptional quality of the candidates in this search is a testament to the educational excellence and student success at Mercer County Community College. The Board of Trustees encourages everyone to come out and meet each of these candidates in our open forums. Your feedback will help us select the best candidate to move MCCC forward.”

A bio and resume for each candidate can be found on the college’s Presidential Search web page. Details on the dates and times for the in-person and Zoom forums, along with an itinerary for the finalists’ campus visits, will be announced soon on the web page.

Those who attend public forums or other meetings with candidates will have the opportunity to provide feedback to the Board electronically. Comments must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, March 14, 2022.