GRCC starts interviewing process for new president with first candidate: Bill Pink

Vice President and Dean for Workforce Development, Bill Pink, was the first of three presidential finalists to participate in public interviews at Grand Rapids Community College this week.

The schedule for Pink was jam-packed today with everything from a breakfast gathering with members of the Board of Trustees, to an afternoon meet and greet with with faculty and a later campus presentation that was open to all faculty, administration and students.

Pink talked about focusing efforts on retention of students and ensuring the college maintains its relevancy within today’s modern culture during his presentation in the afternoon.

Pink touched on companies like Kodak and Blockbuster, comparing them to other, more successful and modern businesses and technologies, like digital cameras and Netflix. He expressed a strong interest in “making sure we don’t become like them” referring to Kodak and Blockbuster.

Questions about equity, student retention, trust and accountability, among others were asked towards Pink by different faculty and staff. Questioners included Board of Trustee members Richard Stewart, Deb Bailey and Secretary Cynthia Bristol. Pink maintained a calm and clear tone throughout and even had the crowd of attendees laughing a few times.

There are two more applicants visiting campus this week: Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Success at Tarrant County College (TX), Joy Gates-Black and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Mott Community College, Amy Fugate.

Gates-Black will travel to Grand Rapids for her interview tomorrow, Nov. 15 and Fugate will have her interview Wednesday, Nov. 16.

Several videos of Pink’s presentations of the day can be found below.