In January, the chancellor for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System will move into the presidency. The KCTCS Board voted unanimously Wednesday to confirm Dr. Jay Box as successor to current President Michael McCall.
Dr. Box has more than three decades of experience in community college leadership. He's been chancellor for KCTCS since 2009. Box says his accomplishments include furthering student completion, enhancing transfer policies and dual credit initiatives. The Texas native admits being an insider may bring more scrutiny. "People know me. They know maybe some of the areas that I'm not strong in, but I think the board's decision shows that they see the strengths that I bring to this position and I think my strengths will help the system be able to move forward," said Box.
Box says he expects the number of Kentucky high school graduates to flatten out or even decline. He anticipates an increase in older non-traditional students entering the KCTCS. "Those students, more than others, have failed in the education system before and that's why they don't have their high school diploma and so once we can get them to get their GED and enter with us, we think we've got a chance to help that group to be successful," added Box.
Dr. Box was the only publicly identified candidate. Board Chair Porter Peoples says Box's strong points include experience within the system, with state government, and the legislature. "Our hiring process was a thorough, open one and he just happened to be the candidate that we chose after interviewing people from all over the country. We started this thing with 40 applicants," said Peoples.
Peoples says he expects Box's salary agreement in December. Current KCTCS President Michael McCall is the highest paid system president in the country. ?
