After 33 years of distinguished service to higher education—including 13 years leading Clark State College—Jo Alice Blondin, Ph.D., current president, will retire in June 2026. The Clark State Board of Trustees, together with the Presidential Search Committee, has narrowed the national search to three finalists who will visit the campus and community during the week of Nov. 17.
Community members are invited to participate in open forums to meet the finalists. During the forums, each finalist will deliver a presentation focused on Clark State’s future opportunities and potential improvements for student success, followed by an opportunity for audience members to ask questions and provide feedback to the Board of Trustees
The open forums will take place in the Community Room (rooms 207–209) of the LRC Building on the Springfield Campus, 570 E. Leffel Lane, as well as online via Zoom, as follows:
- Nov. 18, 2:15–3:15 p.m.: Evon Walters, Ed.D. (attend online • Read bio)
- Nov. 19, 2:15–3:15 p.m.: Flavius R.W. Lilly, Ph.D. (attend online • Read bio)
- Nov. 20, 2:15–3:15 p.m.: Rai Kathuria, Ph.D. (attend online • Read bio)
“We are excited to engage the entire Clark State community and the public in this important process,” said David Ball, chair of the Presidential Search Committee and member of the Clark State Board of Trustees. “Hearing from our campus and community members helps ensure that our next president reflects the values and priorities of Clark State.”