Back in November, Mercer County Community College began the search for its next president following Jianping Wang’s decision to retire this summer.

After a nationwide pursuit, supported by executive search firm R.H. Perry & Associates, the MCCC Presidential Search Committee named four finalists in the running to serve as the school’s seventh president.

According to the chair of the search committee and treasurer of the board, Kevin Drennan, the pool was narrowed from more than 60 applicants.

The board announced the candidates during its monthly meeting on Feb. 17:

• Warren Haynes, interim vice president for diversity, equity, & inclusion, Metropolitan Community College District;
• Deborah Preston, provost and vice president for academic affairs, Raritan Valley Community College;
• Matthew Reed, vice president for academic affairs, Brookdale Community College; and
• Patrick Tompkins, vice president for academic, student & workforce education, Eastern Shore Community College.

During the week of March 7, all four candidates will visit the school to take part in interviews and open forums with a swath of campus constituents and members of the community, according to MCCC.

“The exceptional quality of the candidates in this search is a testament to the educational excellence and student success at Mercer County Community College,” Board Chair Mark Matzen said in a statement. “The Board of Trustees encourages everyone to come out and meet each of these candidates in our open forums.

“Your feedback will help us select the best candidate to move MCCC forward,” he added.

Wang announced her decision to retire last September after six years leading the school; she plans to leave the post in August 2022.

More information about the final four presidential candidates is available from MCCC here. Further details about the March forums and an itinerary for the campus visits will be forthcoming on that web page.

The board will accept electronic comments and feedback from attendees of the public forums or other meetings with candidates; submissions must be received no later than 5 p.m. on March 14.