A College of Lake County vice president will become the interim chief executive to replace current school President Lori Suddick, who plans to leave her job a month earlier than originally scheduled.
Kristen Jones, the school’s current vice president of education and chief academic officer, was named by the CLC Board of Trustees as its choice to lead the school on Tuesday in Grayslake, according to a news release.
Jones has held her current position since January, 2023, according to the release. She “has led the dedicated faculty and staff who provide the education and support students need to find their next step in life,” it said.
“I am honored to serve as the interim president,” Jones was quoted as saying in the release. “CLC’s commitment to teaching and learning excellence and focus on equity and student success inspires me. I’m looking forward to working with the board to provide leadership for the college over the next several months.”
Suddick resigned in an email to the college community on March 23. It was the same day she accepted the job of president and CEO of the Des Moines Area Community College in Iowa. She said then her last day at CLC would be June 1. She will now depart on May 1, according to the CLC release.
A week after learning of Suddick’s departure, the CLC board began its search to replace her and unanimously approved a contract with the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) to find a replacement during a Committee of the Whole meeting on March 31 in Grayslake.
CLC attorney Howard Metz said at the meeting that the search will start on April 13 and will cost $53,500. After a thorough review of applicants, ACCT will give three final candidates to the trustees for a decision on the new president. He did not give a timeframe for the process.
The board is expected to officially approve Jones’ appointment when it next meets on April 28 in Grayslake, according to the release. Jones will serve until Jan. 3 or until a new president is hired.
Board Chair Amanda Howland said in an email on April 2 that the search will include community involvement. She said she is pleased with the choice of Jones as interim president.
“The Board is excited to have Jones continue her leadership in this new capacity,” Howland said in the release. “We are fully confident in her ability to do so. She knows our students, priorities and community.”
Before coming to CLC, Jones was provost at Bellevue College in Washington, the release said. She oversaw academic affairs, student affairs, international education, institutional research, continuing education, accreditation and grants, according to the release.
Jones earned her doctorate and a master’s degree from Oregon State University and an undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon.
