By Sarah Campbell
scampbell@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — A leader at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College has been named a finalist in the search for the next president of Cape Fear Community College.
The college’s board of trustees recently narrowed the field of 41 candidates to five.
Those finalists include Dr. Rod Townley, vice president of academic programs at Rowan-Cabarrus; Dr. Bill Carver, president of Nash Community College in Rocky Mount; Dr. Richard Federinko, retired senior vice chancellor of Troy University in Troy Ala.; Dr. Greg Rutherford, president of York Technical College in Rock Hill, S.C.; and Dr. Ted Spring, president of New River Community and Technical College in Summersville, W.Va.
Townley called the search “very competitive.”
“There is lots of talent there,” he said. “I feel very good about being named a finalist, and we’ll see where it goes.”
The announcement marks the second time this year that Townley has been named a finalist for the top spot at another college. He was one of three finalists for the job at Mitchell Community College in January.
“I’m very happy here. I think we’re doing great work,” he said. “I do have some interest in other opportunities. I’ve only applied for two of those and I’ve been a finalist both times.”
Townley, who has been at Rowan-Cabarrus since September 2009, said if he doesn’t get the job, he’ll be content to stay in Salisbury.
“If I have the opportunity to continue here, I’ll be very happy to do that,” he said.
Townley has more than 20 years of community college administrative experience, according to a Cape Fear press release.
Prior to coming to Salisbury, he served as a dean at Central Piedmont Community College for more than a decade.
The finalists will take part in a public forum that will allow Cape Fear employees, students and community members to ask questions and provide feedback.
Townley’s forum is scheduled for July 24 at 1 p.m. at the Wilmington campus cafeteria.
Interviews for the position are set to begin in mid-August, according to a press release.
The new president will fill the shoes of Dr. Eric McKeithan, who retired from Cape Fear in June after 18 years at the helm.
Contact reporter Sarah Campbell at 704-797-7683.
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