College President

Coastal Bend College 

Position: College President 

Location: Beeville, Texas 

Type: Full-Time (Exempt) 

Posted: March 31, 2025 

Salary: Commensurate With Experience 

Application Due: Open Until Filled 

The Board of Trustees of Coastal Bend College invites letters of application and letters of nomination for the position of College President. The College President is the chief executive officer and external representative of the institution and is responsible to the Coastal Bend College Board of Trustees. The College President exercises broad responsibilities for all aspects of the academic, financial, student, and administrative dimensions of institutional operations, initiatives, and outcomes. 

Coastal Bend College was founded as Bee County Junior College District by election on November 2, 1965. The election resulted from several years of work to establish a community college for Bee County. Support was shown by residents in an overwhelming five-to-one majority for the creation of the College District. The desire for a community college was again demonstrated on December 7, 1965, when district citizens approved a tax to support and bond issues to build the College. The Board of Trustees changed the College’s name from Bee County College to Coastal Bend College on September 1, 1998. The name change followed the Texas Legislature’s extension of the service area in 1995. The Coastal Bend College service area now includes Karnes, McMullen, Live Oak, Bee, Duval, Jim Wells and Brooks Counties, and parts of Atascosa and Kleberg Counties. The College operates its main campus in Beeville and maintains site locations in Alice, Kingsville, and Pleasanton. Coastal Bend College employs approximately 307 employees and serves approximately 3297 students. 

Coastal Bend College’s Mission, Vision, and Institutional Goals may be found here. Further information about Coastal Bend College, including its current Strategic Plan and other reports, may be found on the College’s Institutional Effectiveness & Research Website. 

Procedure for SUBMITTING APPLICATION PACKETS 

A complete application packet includes: (1) a letter of nomination/letter of interest; (2) a curriculum vitae/résumé; and (3) a list of at least five references, including names, position titles, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses. Letters of nomination and/or recommendation may be submitted and, if submitted, should include the full name and address of the proposed candidate and other information known by the nominator. Successful letters of interest and letters of nomination and/or recommendation should address the essential qualifications and desired characteristics and traits described below. 

Completed application packets must be submitted electronically, in PDF format, to PresidentSearch@snll-law.com, attention Cory Rush.  

Evaluation of applications will begin on May 1, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. 

Questions regarding the application and selection processes may be referred to Cory Rush, outside legal counsel for Coastal Bend College, by phone at  (713) 993-7066, or by email at PresidentSearch@snll-law.com. Travel will be at the applicant’s own expense. 

First-round interviews with the Board of Trustees may occur either in person or remotely, if requested. Second-round interviews will be in person. Travel for any interview will be at the applicant’s own expense. The successful candidate must be available to assume the position within a reasonable time and must be willing to relocate to Bee County. Any finalist will be required to provide official college transcripts and submit to a criminal background check in accordance with State of Texas law for security-sensitive positions.  

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS 

A master’s degree from an accredited institution is required, with an earned doctoral degree strongly preferred. 

At least five years of senior experience in the administration of a college or university, including a record of academic accomplishment and of increasingly complex administrative responsibility in higher education, is required. Candidates with comparable accomplishments in the public or private sectors relevant to higher education administration are encouraged to apply. 

Classroom teaching experience is strongly preferred. 

Demonstrated understanding of and a commitment to a community college mission with priorities on transfer academic programs; career, professional, and technical education; distance and dual credit education; and workforce and community education as key components of economic and workforce development. 

Commitment to candor and transparency in interactions with the College’s Board of Trustees and a genuine desire to operate as a “team of eight” with a Board of Trustees. 

Knowledge of developments in state, federal, and local laws and public policy affecting higher education and a demonstrable commitment to accurately preparing and submitting, in a timely manner, any and all reports required by the Board of Trustees, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and other federal and state agencies. 

Ability to prepare recommendations for the College’s annual budget, to ensure that funds are expended in accordance with the approved budget, to direct and supervise all financial accounting and ensure that funds are expended legally and controlled effectively, and to continuously explore opportunities to become more financially efficient. 

Well-developed communications skills, including a demonstrated ability to work successfully with colleagues and collaboratively with faculty and staff in the shared governance tradition of the institution.  

Demonstrable skill in anticipating, managing, and resolving conflict. 

Ability to think strategically, build consensus, and engage faculty, staff, and administration in collegial and constructive decision-making to enhance student life and learning for both traditional and non-traditional students. 

Ability to be an effective institutional advocate to a broad range of constituents and to work effectively with local, state and national leaders and legislators. 

Ability to lead an advancement effort in raising funds and building relationships with stakeholders of the College, with an enthusiasm for fundraising and the willingness to make it a priority. 

Personal engagement on campus with students and student life and active involvement in the social and economic life of the community. 

Record of civic involvement and a commitment to work collaboratively with educational partnerships, business leaders and the community to carry out the mission of the institution. 

Commitment to and successful experience in forming focused and sustained partnerships with business/industry and other agencies in the community for the purposes of economic and workforce development. 

Demonstrated leadership skills, vision, integrity, and the ability to identify and build on the strengths of a successful and growing institution and to serve as its spokesperson. 

DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS AND TRAITS 

Successful candidates should possess the following qualities: 

• A thorough understanding of and passion for the community college mission; 

• A proven track record of advocacy and support for technical/career education, academic programs, and workforce training;  

• Demonstrable fiscal responsibility, as well as strength in managing a budget; 

• Data-driven with strong business acumen; 

• Integrity, honesty, and tact in personal and professional interactions; 

• Commitment to service leadership that values, involves, and inspires employees; 

• Skills to attract and retain talent and to motivate others to obtain success; 

• Personable, caring, and affable; 

• Supportive of faculty and staff participating in professional growth opportunities; 

• Willingness to be highly visible on campuses and maintain an interactive relationship with employees and students; 

• Student-driven and will question how decisions affect students;    

• Active listener and intuitive interpersonal communication skills; 

• Forward-thinking and innovative, creative, and resourceful; 

• Responsive to local industry and community needs and forming collaborative partnerships; 

• Commitment to community relations, community-mindedness and involvement, and is willing to maintain a strong public presence at community events; 

• Passion for fundraising and creativity in exploring funding opportunities; 

• Knowledgeable of the legislative process and can work effectively with legislators on statewide and local initiatives; and 

• Understanding and appreciation of rural communities and committed to living in Bee County.