But during a forum last Wednesday, Johnston citizens said the new president should not be much different from his or her predecessor, Dr. Donald Reichard.

Like Reichard, the new leader should be approachable, said Smithfield Chief Patrick Harris. “One of the things that really excited me about this college is the teamwork from the trustees to the president to the faculty to the staff,” he said. “We are all on the same page. We all know each other by name.”

Denton Lee, president of the JCC Foundation, said Reichard had never been one “to take the spotlight.” He has always put students first, and the next leader should follow suit, said Lee, whose group raises money for scholarships.

In particular, Lee praised Reichard for his support of the foundation and other fund-raising efforts. Reichard has also collaborated with others to generate fresh ideas, Lee said.

“This is not some sleepy little technical college we started in this county so many years ago,” Lee said. “This is not just a community college. We are now a college. We have a lot of young people looking here first for their first couple years of college education because it is so economical. Let’s continue to make that a focal point as we grow.”

Foundation board member John Hobart said trustees should take the economy’s future into account when hiring a new president. “What will Johnston County be like five years from now, 10 years from now?” he asked. “The same question applies to Research Triangle [Park] because we are a part of the Triangle. And again, what will North Carolina be like five to 10 years from now? This all has to do with the type of person we need at the community college.”

Like Lee, Hobart said the next president should support private fund-raising efforts. “This idea that ... we will always be receiving public funds, I think we all realize we don’t need to depend on that as the only source of funding,” he said. “There are large amounts of money that could be donated to this college.”

Ann Huckenbeck, another foundation member, wants the incoming president to be a strong advocate for students of all ages and aspirations. She suggested trustees talk to students or perhaps put one on their search committee.

Ruby Bryant is director of human resources for Johnston-Lee Head Start. She hopes the new leader will continue to work with Head Start employees and clients through educational opportunities.

Like Bryant, Rick Childrey wants the next president to continue working with local groups. “They need to not only be an advocate for the college, but for the various organizations that make our community the way it is,” said Childrey, president of the Greater Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce.

Trustees hope to hire Reichard’s replacement before he leaves July 1. “More than anything, we want to get it right,” said Lyn Austin, chairwoman of the trustees. “We will take the time we need to get it right.”