Clark State Community College has selected a new president. Dr. Jo Alice Blondin will take over for Karen Rafinsky, who announced that she would retire at the end of the school year.
Since 2006, Dr. Blondin has served as the chancellor of the Ozark Campus at Arkansas Tech University. She is credited with growing the enrollment by 600 percent.
Blondin says she is excited about the opportunity to lead Clark State and has identified the challenges that lie ahead.
"The biggest challenge is going to be familiarizing myself with the culture of the campus, getting to know people. Certainly cultivating my relationships with the board, faculty, staff, students and in the community," Blondin said.
Blondin was selected ahead of two other finalists. Her ability to connect students with the local workforce appealed to Clark State's Board of Trustees. Blondin believes developing strong ties between the college and the region's employers is important and will draw students to the school.
"I think that's going to be very important and to make sure those ties are strengthened. And that the connections to the programs that are available to students at Clark State, are industry ties, are made very explicit to them, so they understand, when I go to Clark State and get this credential then I can get this job," Blondin said.
Blondin says Karen Rafinsky left Clark State in great shape with an enrollment approaching 6,000 students and a solid reputation throughout the Miami Valley area.
Blondin will assume her duties on July 1 and will be paid $175,000 a year.