Dupage Policy Journal

The College of DuPage (COD) Board of Trustees announced the names of three finalists in the search for the next board president. 

The finalists, selected by the COD Presidential Search Committee with assistance from executive search firm AGB Search, are COD Interim President Brian Caputo, Pierpont Community & Technical College President Johnny Moore, and Seward County Community College President Ken Trzaska.

“Following thorough reviews, consultation with the search firm and interviews with each candidate, the finalists were submitted to the board of trustees by the presidential search committee for consideration; and after the board’s deliberation, we decided to move all three candidates forward to the next phase in the process,” COD Board Chairman Frank Napolitano told DuPage Policy Journal.

COD Board Chairman Frank Napolitano

Preferred potential candidates for the position had to possess a doctorate degree; proven success as a leader; extensive teaching experience; experience managing a large and complex organization; the ability to manage diverse issues including financial affairs, curriculum development and human resources; success in reporting to and working with a governing board; a strong ability to understand the interests of the college’s various stakeholders; the values of honesty, integrity and strong ethics; and a commitment to academic excellence, transparency, inclusiveness in decision making, and the professional development of faculty and staff.

The presidential search committee is made up of 16 members including Napolitano. Among the other members are District 502 volunteers affiliated with business, legal, financial, government and education communities, as well as members of the COD faculty, administration, managerial and classified staff.

“I am pleased with the diverse representation on this outstanding presidential search committee who volunteered their time to fulfill a vital service to our district,” Napolitano said.

The search for a new COD Board President began after Ann Rondeau resigned from the position to assume leadership at the Naval Postgraduate School in California. Caputo, vice president of administration and CFO at The College of DuPage, was unanimously voted to serve as interim president beginning January 1. 

As part of the presidential search, the board will host public open candidate forums May 6-8 at COD.

“The purpose of the presidential search public open forum is to provide faculty, staff, students and the community-at-large an opportunity to submit questions to the candidates as well as provide input via an online survey following each forum,” Napolitano said.

The board is expected to name the next COD Board President in the coming weeks.