Lone Star College System Chancellor Dr. Richard Carpenter has narrowed the search for president of LSC-Kingwood to two finalists.
Named are Richard W. Cummins, currently the Executive Vice President of Columbia Basin College in Oregon, and Dr. Katherine H. Persson, president of Rock Creek Campus of the Portland Community College District and former LSC-Kingwood vice president.
Outgoing LSC-Kingwood President Dr. Linda Stegall retires effective Aug. 31.
“The Search Advisory Committee did an excellent job of identifying top-notch, well qualified candidates,” said Carpenter. "Based in part on feedback received from forums with students, faculty and staff, I have invited Mr. Cummins and Dr. Persson back to LSC-Kingwood next week to meet with community leaders and members of the Board of Trustees.”
Cummins has served in a variety of capacities at Columbia Basin College since 1990, including acting president, vice president for instruction, vice president for information services, president of the Columbia Basin Advanced Technology Center (CBAT), chief technology officer for CBAT, dean for the communications technology division and associate professor of English.
He has also taught at the University of Arizona, Pima Community College and John Hopkins University.
Cummins anticipates his Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University this month. He hold a M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona and a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Cincinnati.
Before Rock Creek Campus, Dr. Persson worked at LSC-Kingwood as vice president of educational programs and services, vice president of educational program and student development, vice president of educational programs, associate dean of science, health care and applied technology, and as biology instructor.
She received a Ph.D. in Educational Administration (Community College Leadership) from the University of Texas at Austin, a M.S. in biology from Texas Women’s University, Texas Medical Center, Houston, and a B.S. from Southwest Texas University.
It is anticipated that the new president will begin before Aug. 31.
Lone Star College System consists of five colleges, including CyFair, Kingwood, Montgomery, North Harris, and Tomball, six centers and Lone Star College-University Center. It is the largest institute of higher education in the Houston area, and third largest community college district in Texas. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.