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By Javier Cabrera | News Editor
Gregory Gray, the chancellor of Riverside Community College District, is a finalist for the position for president of Board of Regents for Higher Education that governs the 17 Connecticut State Colleges & Universities.
Gray said he was contacted by a friend on the East Coast two months ago about the position.
“I thought since I had good experience at both the community college and four year university, I maybe a natural to look into it, which I did,” he said. “And I was a semifinalist and invited back last weekend as a finalist, and that is where it is at now.”
A press release by the Board of Regents for Higher Education for the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities and Gray confirmed the fact.
The press release said the search committee of the Board of Regents for Higher Education announced March 14 three finalists for the position of president after a nationwide, months-long search.
“There is a long way to go before I will say I will leave (RCCD) for that particular position,” Gray said, noting that the hiring process has been challenging and interesting.
Gray said he appreciates being a finalist but he is aware that another finalist could be better for the position.
Connecticut has combined its 12 community colleges, four universities and online college to form the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities, where it is all under the Board of Regents for Higher Education.
Along with Gray, the other two finalists are Jack R. Warner, a CEO from the South Dakota Board of Regents and Jay Kahn, an interim president at Keene State College.
Lewis J. Robinson, the Board of Regents chair and chair of the Regents Search Committee, said in the release there were 29 highly qualified candidates but the three finalists were clearly the most outstanding.
According to the release there have been two committees conducting the search, the Regents Search Committee and a systemwide advisory committee composed of faculty, staff, students, alumni and representation from the business community. And the process has been guided by a national search firm.
“The input of the Systemwide Advisory Committee throughout this process has been outstanding, and the caliber of the finalists is a reflection of their hard work and the tremendous potential of the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (ConnSCU),” said Robinson in the release.
Gray said the ultimate decision lies with Gov. Dannel Malloy.
The Board of Regents Search Committee plans to present its recommendations to the fill Board of Regents on April 4 prior to transmitting it to Gov. Malloy for his consideration and subsequent appointment.
