Three Finalists Named in Housatonic Community College President Search
A nationwide, months-long search for a new president at Housatonic Community College, one of the 17 institutions of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System, has been narrowed to three finalists.
A nationwide, months-long search for a new president at Housatonic Community College, one of the 17 institutions of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System, has been narrowed to three finalists.
The finalists announced today are: Dr. Athos K. Brewer, Vice President for Student Affairs, Bronx Community College of the City of New York; Dr. Paul Broadie II, Vice President for Student Services, Orange County Community College, a member of the State University of New York; and Dr. Matthew Reed, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Holyoke Community College.
“We are extremely pleased with the caliber of the candidates who applied for the position, and especially with that of the three finalists,” said Nick Donofrio, Chairman of the Board of Regents. “These finalists represent the very best in higher education at this time, as evidenced by the experience and accomplishments that comprise their impressive careers to date.”
All three candidates will be visiting the Housatonic campus beginning in early December. Dr. Reed will visit December 1; Dr. Broadie will visit December 2, and Dr. Brewer will visit December 3. During their visits to Bridgeport, the candidates will participate in various meetings and events with faculty, students, staff, and community stakeholders.
The finalists are:
Dr. Athos K. Brewer
Dr. Athos K. Brewer currently serves as Vice President for Student Affairs at the Bronx Community College of the City of New York, in the Bronx, NY. He has held that position since September, 2012. Before assuming his current position, Dr. Brewer served as Dean of Students at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, VA from 2009 through 2012. He was Director of Student Support Services at Montgomery College, Rockville, MD, from 2003 through 2009; and as a Special Assistant to the Vice President/Provost at Montgomery College (in a one year assignment) in 2007.
In his current position at Bronx Community College, Dr. Brewer serves as the chief student affairs officer for the College, leading and managing a comprehensive program of services promoting engagement and student success for a diverse student population. He is also responsible for the development of several success initiatives at the College that improved student retention and graduation rates. In 2013, Dr. Brewer also acted as Key Innovator for a restructured Student Affairs Model that focused on Access, Student Support Services and Student Engagement and Success.
In addition to higher education administration, he has worked in non-profit management, international education, and local and state government. He was also a member of the Advisory Board for Maryland’s juvenile justice system. He was selected as an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow, a National Institutes of Health Intramural Research Training Fellow, a Lumina Foundation Grant recipient, and a consultant for the development of graduate level courses focused on student success. Dr. Brewer’s career includes teaching as an adjunct faculty member at Morgan State University’s online community college leadership doctoral program.
Dr. Brewer received his PhD. In Education Technology from American University; a Master of Science in Education in Social Agency Counseling from the University of Dayton; and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Capital University.
Dr. Paul Broadie
Dr. Paul Broadie II has 24 years of progressively responsible higher education experience. Dr. Broadie currently serves as Vice President for Student Services at Orange County Community College SUNY. Prior to assuming his current position in August, 2005, Dr. Broadie, served as Associate Vice President of Extension Centers for Orange County, beginning in 2001. He also served as Director of the Ossining Extension Center at Westchester Community College beginning in January, 2001, and held a variety of positions at the State University of New York at New Paltz, from 1997 through 2001.
As a member of Academic Affairs, Dr. Broadie worked closely with faculty and department chairs to enhance and cultivate teaching and learning while strengthening the institution’s focus on the academic mission. He served as co-chair of a team developing the college’s academic mission statement, and also served on the team responsible for the development of the college’s first academic master plan. While at Orange County he was also involved in developing successful partnerships with area K-12 schools.
Dr. Broadie received his Ph.D. from Colorado State University, a Master in Business Administration from Long Island University, and his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Mercy College, where he graduated summa cum laude.
Dr. Matthew Reed
Dr. Matthew Reed has spent the last six years as the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Holyoke Community College, in Holyoke, MA. As Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Reed has focused his attention at Holyoke on student success, particularly on closing the achievement gaps for underrepresented groups. He has also overseen five consecutive years of improvement in course completion rates. Dr. Reed also established the college’s first Faculty Council, and acted as Project Director for the college’s $1.8 million Title III grant.
Prior to Dr. Reed’s appointment at Holyoke Community College, he spent 5 years as Division Dean of Liberal Arts at the County College of Morris, Randolph, NJ. At County College, he was responsible for managing seven academic departments in the humanities and social sciences. While there, he restructured the teacher education program, and shepherded the college’s first cross-divisional major from concept to fruition. Before being appointed at County College of Morris, Dr. Reed served in two positions at DeVry University, as Dean of General Education in 2002-2003, and as Associate Dean of General Education in 2001-2002.
Dr. Reed earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from Rutgers University in 1997, and his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Williams College, where he graduated cum laude in 1990.
Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, CT, founded in 1967, is one of the 17 institutions of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System. A knowledgeable, dedicated faculty and staff work on behalf of 1,843 full-time students and 3,970 part-time students in a diverse, learner-centered, supportive, and stimulating environment.
The search for a new president began after former President Anita Gliniecki announced in February 2014 that she was retiring in September. At its June 2014 meeting, the Board of Regents for Higher Education appointed Dr. Elizabeth Roop as its interim president through December 31st.
The presidential search has been conducted by the Regents Search Committee, with the invaluable assistance of the College Advisory Committee. Following the finalists’ visits next week, the Advisory Committee will provide their unranked feedback to the Regents Search Committee. The Regents Search Committee, comprised of six members of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, will then make their final selection, subject to ratification by the full Board of Regents at the December 18 meeting.