After working at NIC for four years, North Idaho College President Joe Dunlap decided to retire at the age of 66 effective June 30, 2016.
“I will miss the students here and the people I work with,” Dunlap said. “I am looking forward to spending time with my grandchildren.
Dunlap explained that his decision was based on family and life dynamics because he never spent time with his grandfathers.
“I feel like I missed out and they missed out,” Dunlap said. ” I don’t want that to happen to my grandchildren during this stage in my life. I need to spend time having an impact on my grandchildren’s lives.”
Dunlap has worked for 45 years starting his career in the military then education. He has worked at several institutions including a number of community colleges.
Prior to NIC Dunlap served as President of Spokane Community College (SCC) for five years and three years as its Vice President of instruction. After SCC he was also the dean of Mt. Hood, Oregon, for five years and then Western Michigan University for 10 years.
During his time at NIC Dunlap said he and his administrative team have worked hard to maintain and further NIC’s excellence.
“We’ve assembled the best administrative team I have ever worked with,” Dunlap said. “They’re fabulous individuals.”
Highlights from Dunlap’s tenure include the new Career and Technical Education building at Rathdrum prairie, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center and the addition of the new Student Joint Facility.
From Dunlap’s view they have expertly managed NIC’s budget and not raised taxes in the last three years. Despite the decrease in enrollment NIC has minimally raised tuition.
During Dunlap’s four years at NIC his team and him have implemented 17 new career and technical programs to help people prepare to go to work and support business and industry in the region.
“Our students here at NIC are smart,” Dunlap said. “Number one, they’ve decided to go to college and improve the quality of life for themselves and their future families. By going to a community college, they are not going to get a less of an education. They’ll be getting a less costly education. More power to them and I respect the decisions students are making that will significantly impact their lives in the future.”
Dunlap plans to continue many of his community efforts in and around North Idaho, while also devoting time to his growing family.
“It’s pretty interesting that he’s retiring and it makes me want to know the guy before he leaves,” student Shannon Holt, 18 General studies, said. “I feel a little unaware of the history of the school.”
Another student commented on Dunlap’s retirement.
“I didn’t know he was retiring, but good for him,” Miguel Perez, 18, said. “Thanks for the time you’ve put into NIC and enjoy the time with your family.”
Vice President for Instruction Lita Burns said Dunlap is an outstanding leader and that he has worked hard to promote and support the educational needs of the students, the professional development opportunities of staff and faculty, and the workforce development needs of the community.
“He is humble, sincere and values the talent of his team,” Burns said. “I admire his decision to put his family first at this stage of his life and enjoy time with his wife, children and grandchildren. It has been an honor to work for Joe and I wish him the best.”
What happens next?
Across the nation applicants will be reviewed by a screening committee made up of 10 members from the community, along with 10 members from NIC, staff and students alike. Finalists will then be invited to the campus before the Board of Trustees makes the final decision.
NIC’s Board of Trustees officially started the process for the presidential search and has selected the Association of Community College Trustees to assist with the search.
The Association also acknowledges that some of the following leadership qualities in a community college president will include experience in academic and career technical education, experience and enthusiasm for community engagement and experience in fundraising, planning, and managing a budget that reflects the needs of the college and the community, among many other qualities.
“Although change is constant in our lives it always causes anxiety and a feeling of unrest,” Burns said. As a campus community I hope that we are able to embrace this change as an opportunity to grow, achieve the goals that have been established and work towards setting a new course for NIC’s future.”
All students and staff are welcome to participate in one of three public forums hosted by North Idaho College Monday, Feb. 1, to collect and provide input that will be used in the search for a new president at the college. The public forums are scheduled for 8:30 a.m., 3 p.m., and 6 p.m. in the Edminster Student Union Building Lake Coeur d’Alene Room.
