SCCC announces finalists in presidential search

Three finalists for the Seward County Community College president’s job will visit campus in the next few weeks.

The Seward County Community College Board of Trustees has announced its shortlist of finalists in its search for the college’s 12th president.

Dr. Greg Gunderson will interview on campus Sept. 1. Gunderson currently serves as President Emeritus of Park University in Kansas City, Mo., following a five-year stint as president of Park. Since Nov. 2020 he has focused on supporting the transition to a new president. Previously, he served in instructional and administrative roles at Webster University in St. Louis and the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Gunderson holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Nebraska – Omaha, an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis, Minn., and a PhD from UNL.

Dr. Clayton Tatro will interview on campus Sept. 8. Currently the Vice President of Workforce Development at Dodge City Community College, Tatro has also served in various capacities at Washburn Institute of Technology, Garden City Community College, and as president of Fort Scott Community College from 2007-2014. Tatro holds bachelor’s and master’s of psychology degrees from Pittsburg (Kansas) State University and a PhD from Colorado State University, Fort Collins.

Dr. Herbert Riedel will interview on campus Sept. 15. Following a 10-year stint as president of Lurleen B. Wallace Community College, Andalusia, Ala., Riedel chose to work as an adjunct professor for the University of South Carolina – Selkehatchie, and explore entrepreneurial pursuits. Previously, Riedel held administrative roles at Northeast Texas Community College, Mt. Pleasant, and the University of Central Florida. Riedel earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and master’s degree and PhD in pure mathematics at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

In addition to the Board of Trustees, all candidates’ interview processes will include multiple meetings with the college executive team and deans, directors, athletics, student services, academic affairs, community representatives from the SCCC Foundation Board, SCCC Athletics Booster Club Board, and possibly former trustees, division chairs and faculty, students, and the public. A public meet-and-greet on campus will also be streamed via Facebook Live and, in keeping with the college’s current protocols, will require all participants to wear masks.

SCCC will announce more details about the presidential search process as plans are finalized.