The six finalists for president of Riverland Community College have been announced, and forums have been set for public questions and feedback.

The finalists are Dr. James Bruns, vice president of academic and student affairs at Pellissippi State Technical Community College, Dr. Charlotte Lee, president of Terra Community College, Dr. Michael Bequette, senior vice president of academic affairs at Riverland Community College, Dr. G. Dennis Massey, interim president of McHenry County College, Dr. Terrence Leas, dean at Yakima Valley Community College and Dr. Dolores Cross, former president of Morris Brown College.

Public forums, where candidates will answer questions from the public, will be held April 14-16 at Riverland. After each forum, people in attendance will be asked to fill out feedback forms, which ask whether the interview team should move that particular candidate forward in the process. People's responses will be used by the interview team to narrow the field down to two or three.

"It has a lot of impact," Celeste Ruble, vice president of employee and public relations, said. "The interview team is very interested in the input and feedback."

After the field is narrowed, MnSCU Chancellor James McCormick will make the final decision.

Ruble said she anticipated having the McCormick's decision before the May 15 board meeting, so they could move on to approval.

Ruble said she is looking forward to the forums.

"We have qualified applicants who have a lot of experience to bring to the college," she said. "They are an impressive group of candidates.

The forums will be held in room A237/A240 in the Austin West Building and are as follows:

Monday

Dr. James Bruns, 8 to 9 a.m.

Dr. Charlotte Lee, 10 to 11 a.m.

Dr. Michael Bequette, 12 to 1 p.m.

Tuesday

Dr. G. Dennis Massey, 10 to 11 a.m.

Dr. Terrence Leas, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday

Dr. Dolores Cross, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by email at matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com