The chairman of the Board of Trustees for East Central Community College says the application process is complete and that a total of 9 applications were received, which board members began reviewing Tuesday afternoon.

"All of our applicants are very well qualified and have come from varied backgrounds," board chairman Dr. Jimmy Hollingsworth says. "Of course, all of them have the qualifications necessary to serve as a community college president."

The college is looking for someone to serve long term in the role of president, given the current and former presidents have each had lengthy runs.

"We want a visionary leader," Hollingsworth points out. "Someone that would be able to come and to pick up where our school is currently and move it forward to work in our community and five-county area."

He says it is never easy trying to replace someone who has served as president for more than a decade and has a long history with the school. But officials are beginning the difficult task of combing through applications and will be bringing candidates in for interviews soon.

"They will come here, it will be a lengthy process," Hollingsworth admits. "All the committee members will be presents. We will ask them varied questions about their vision for our school and community and how they feel qualified to take on the position."

ECCC's Board of Trustee's plans to announce a new president as its next board meeting, scheduled for March 20th. The new president will start on July 1st, just one day after current president Dr. Phil Sutphin retires.