Paul Dale named top choice in PVCC's presidential search

By Kyle A. Porter
Web Team

After a year-long process, Dr. Paul Dale, Ph.D., has been chosen from among four finalists as the winning candidate for PVCC's presidency.

Dr. Paul Dale, Ph.D., has emerged as Paradise Valley Community College’s new president from four finalists considered by Chancellor Rufus Glasper, Ph.D. and the college’s search committee.

Dale will drop the “Interim” from his current title as he moves forward serving the PVCC community. The former vice president of student affairs was named interim president in July 2008, when Mary K. Kickels retired as president.

Glasper announced the selection March 10, the result of a year-long process to define and search for the best candidate. Glasper will present his choice of Dale to the Maricopa County Community College Governing Board at their next scheduled meeting, March 23; and pending the board’s approval, Dale becomes president effective immediately.

Four finalists visited PVCC and appeared at open forums Feb. 24 and 25. Glasper and his executive council interviewed the candidates Feb. 26. The chancellor’s office invited comments and feedback from students, faculty and community members following the visits and forums.

“I’m pleased and excited to move forward in this position,” says Dale, “It’s an opportunity for my leadership values to become part of the fiber of the college.”

In spring 2009, Glasper decided to conduct a full search for a PVCC president after meeting with campus representatives. The search employed a consultant, Cizek and Associates, to accept and recruit applicants. Glasper appointed a search committee in fall 2009 comprised of faculty, administrative staff, students and community leaders. Three chairpersons led the committee: Rick Vaughn, faculty senate president and math faculty; Jacalyn Askin, Ph.D., vice president, administrative services; and Patti Marsh, business faculty and senate president-elect.

Vaughn believes the search process is healthy for the college, helping to clarify its direction for the future. The search committee drafted the position profile for the position of president and prepared questions for the initial interviews conducted in early February with 10 semi-finalists advanced by Cizek and Associates.

“All the finalists were excellent,” and well-qualified for the position, says Vaughn.

Glasper had announced on March 9 that two finalists were being considered, including Dr. Brad Bartel, Ph.D., president of Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colo., as well as Dale. That day, Bartel withdrew his candidacy. Bartel stated he was a finalist elsewhere.

Glasper says he is pleased that the process allowed the college to pursue its vision.

“It provides a roadmap with detail to support Dr. Dale,” Glasper says.