Dennis Michaelis, Ed. D., is named new STLCC interim chancellor, will start on Oct. 28
By: SPENCER GLEASON
Editor-in-Chief
On Thursday, Oct. 17, the STLCC board of trustees announced Dennis F. Michaelis, Ph. D., as the new chancellor. His term will begin Monday, Oct. 28 and he has agreed to serve as interim chancellor through June 2015.
Since the Board of Trustees granted Chancellor Myrtle E. B. Dorsey’s request for personal leave on Sept. 26, they began the search for a new chancellor.
“We were looking for a leader and someone who could help the college keep going with it’s current plan to try to help more students graduate,” Craig Larson, Ed. D., board vice chair said. “That’s a real problem for us. More than one out of two people who start here don’t come back next year. So were looking for somebody who can fix that. We were looking for somebody who can work well with the Board and a veteran leader.”
The board of trustees used the help of The Registry, a company that specializes in filling interim administration positions for colleges and universities. The firm, which is based in Boston, Mass., is solely through membership, It holds over 450 members from 49 states.
“We recruit, people nominate their colleagues and people self nominate as well,” Kevin Matthews, part owner of The Registry said. “When we get a call from the Board, we have a long conversation about what the situation is at the institution and what the needs are. Then we tell the institution that we’ll come in at the salary level that’s already paid and we’ll negotiate all the terms up front. That way there is no surprises.”
The board of trustees was given 11 names from The Registry and they narrowed down to their top three choices. On Oct. 9, the three candidates visited Meramec, STLCC-Forest Park and STLCC-Florissant Valley.
“My priority right now is just to get acquainted with the college and with the faculty, staff, administration and students. I want to get to know the college. That’s really my first priority,” Michaelis said. “I’ve already been on all the campuses, but they’ve been quick visits so far. I’m going to be on the campuses and have a chance to have good, thorough tour and meet a bunch of people.”
Michaelis did research on STLCC since being referred by The Registry. According to Michaelis, he understands the emotions of how STLCC was left behind through Dorsey’s leadership.
“I know how to use Google just like most people do. You can find out a lot of information,” Michaelis said. “I read the stuff that was in the St. Louis American. I read the stuff that was in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. I looked at Board Minutes. I read the Meramec Police Investigation of the incident. It’s obvious that lines of communication need to be opened. It’s obvious that there are some bad feelings and wounds.”
Although, according to Michaelis, he is not looking at the past. He wants to look forward.
“I know the fact that the old chancellor’s contract was not renewed made some people happy and some people mad,” Michaelis said. “But the reality is I don’t know her. I’ve never met her. All of that is past.”
With few administration positions at Meramec filled with definite personnel, by having an interim president, acting vice president of student affairs and interim police chief, Michaelis understands the state of Meramec’s administration.
“There’s no question that that needs to be addressed. By definition, I am an interim chancellor. I’m a temporary guy, but that’s on purpose,” Michaelis said. “It’s okay to have that go for 18 or 20 months. In fact, I think it’s a healthy thing. I think there are wounds or bad feelings that I think an interim can give some time for those things to heal up a little bit. It means that it will pave the way for the person who is the full time chancellor.”
While repaving the way for a new chancellor, Michaelis will try to heal the wounds left by Dorsey.
“I think a lot of the goal is to frankly, get people talking to each other again. I think there’s been a lot of disruption in the college. But I can’t do a thing about that, to change the past. What I can do is attempt to create an environment where people feel like they can talk to each other and people feel like they are being listened to.”
