NR 08-2826 May 28, 2008 News Bureau Staff
College of DuPage President Steps Down
Dr. Sunil ChandÕs five-year tenure marked by achievements and transitions—
Assumes position of President Emeritus
May 28, 2008. Glen Ellyn, IL—College of DuPage announced today that its president, Sunil Chand, PhD., will assume the position of President Emeritus effective immediately, ending his five-year tenure at the helm of the largest community college in Illinois.
The CollegeÕs Board of Trustees voted Tuesday morning to undertake the mutually agreed upon transition and will immediately initiate the task of identifying a permanent replacement.
ÒMy time here at College of DuPage has been very productive,Ó Dr. Chand said. ÒWe have faced numerous challenges, and at the same time, continued to grow and improve the quality of the institution and our service to the community. In this new role I will help the college bring in the next generation of leadership.Ó
ÒWe are grateful for Dr. ChandÕs service to C.O.D.,Ó said Micheal McKinnon, Chairman of the CollegeÕs Board of Trustees. ÒHe was an integral part of the collegeÕs change from a quarter to a semester academic calendar and with our recent accreditation process, and he has provided guidance for the ongoing Facilities Master Plan to expand the collegeÕs campus. This decision was not an easy one, but we are pleased that Dr. Chand will remain part of the team at C.O.D. as we move into the future.Ó
ÒThis Board wants to continue its drive toward innovation,Ó added Chairman McKinnon. ÒWe are moving quickly to identify an interim president who will guide the college as we seek to recruit a new leader who will continue this mission.Ó
The trustees have not established a timeline for hiring a new president. Chairman McKinnon commented, ÒThe job of recruiting a college president is among the most important tasks of the elected board of trustees set out by state statute. We want to expedite the process as much as possible, but it is too important a responsibility to rush.Ó
Administrative functions are currently operating under set procedures governing the temporary absence of the president until an acting president can be officially appointed by the trustees later this week.
# # #