Leadership to an institution is like the concrete foundation to a building. Dug into the ground, the foundation is unseen but its purpose is essential to creating an unshakeable superstructure.

Last July, the Board of Trustees voted to put Superintendent-President Dr. Andreea Serban on paid leave for “undisclosed” reasons. Until the board appoints a replacement, Dr. Jack Friedlander, former executive vice president of educational programs has been the acting Superintendent President and has done the job impeccably.

Although Friedlander has not expressed his intent on vying for the position, he is more than well qualified as an educator and provides the consistency and vision the school needs to move forward. Still, he has “acting” in front of his title.

The board of trustees recently agreed to pay an outside consulting firm, Stanton Chase International, $90,000 to search for qualified candidates to fit the college.

Is there a need to pay a consulting firm to search for a candidate when there are multiple worthy and qualified candidates already employed by our institution?

Friedlander was originally only supposed to keep the superintendent-presidential seat warm for 30 days whilst the board determined who would succeed Serban.

Now, six months later, he has overseen delicate budget cuts and represented City College in Washington D.C. being a part of the Obama Administration’s Winning the Future initiative as a Champion of Change.

City College recently budgeted $79,000 for an outside consulting firm, Stanton Chase International, to search nationally for qualified candidates to fit the college.

In tough financial times like these, when classes and programs are being cut at an alarming rate, the college doesn’t need an outsider coming in and taking time to familiarize themselves with the school and duties required.

There is no time for a learning curve; the college needs an insider that provides consistency and is privy to the community’s needs. Critics of Serban said she was tone-deaf to the culture of Santa Barbara. As a community school, it’s a necessity that the superintendent-president be conscientious to the needs of the populous.

Friedlander has been with City College for nearly 26 years and prior to assuming the presidency, Friedlander served on the Academic Senate, the president’s executive committee, the Enrollment Management Committee and as chairperson for the College Planning council.

He was the lead author on the “Express to Success” and “Express to Transfer” among other grants that have generated over $14 million for City College among a vast resume of impressive accolades.

Obviously, the board doesn’t want to make any imprudent decisions after its last appointment and nobody can fault it for taking its due course. Still, it’s mind-blowing why Friedlander hasn’t been asked to step in officially.

https://www.thechannels.org/news/2012/02/01/hunting-for-a-new-president/