The Highline Community College Board of Trustees has retained National Search and Education Consulting (NSEC) to assist them in their search for a new college president.

NSEC is an educational consulting firm with experience in conducting community college president searches. They have completed over 50 searches in 11 states, both at small and large multi-campus colleges.

"NSEC has been very successful in assisting other community colleges in Washington in the recruitment of highly skilled and desirable candidates to fill vacancies," said Karen Vander Ark, chairwoman of the HCC Board of Trustees.

The board also announced the formation of a presidential search committee to work with NSEC and the Board. The committee will include representatives from the Highline Community College staff, faculty, students and community.

Trustees expect to have a final decision by late spring in hopes that the new president will assume the office by July 1.

Dr. Jack Bermingham is the interim president of HCC. He was appointed in 2005 to replace Dr. Priscilla Bell, who was removed by the board of trustees.