The Clatsop Community College Board voted Monday to offer the position of president to Jarrod Hogue, after the other top candidate, Richard Hopper, withdrew his application.
Hogue, who grew up in St. Helens and now lives in Skamokawa, Washington, is the principal of Math Mentors, a math tutoring company he founded in 2022. He previously spent 14 years working at Mount Hood Community College, serving as executive dean and chief academic officer and overseeing career and technical education, workforce development and high school and community education programs.
The college brought Hogue and Hopper to campus last week for interviews with the board and meetings with constituent groups such as faculty, staff, foundation board members and community leaders.
Hopper, the chief of party for the U.S. Agency for International Development in Vietnam, where he oversees higher education projects, previously served as president of Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield, Maine. Hopper holds a doctoral degree in education policy from Harvard University.
Withdrawal
Hopper withdrew his application on Thursday following a contentious meeting with the college’s cabinet on Wednesday.
During that meeting, according to a recording obtained by The Astorian, Hopper repeatedly expressed disbelief at the college’s minimal leadership structure, referring to unclear chains of command as a “Lord of the Flies” situation.
The college has been led by interim presidents — Teena Toyas and Kevin LaCoste — since Chris Breitmeyer stepped away in 2023 after it became apparent the college board would not renew his contract.
The college eliminated two vice president positions last September amid concerns over finances. LaCoste appointed Toyas vice president and provost, a role she has continued to serve in since stepping up as interim president. The college also does not have a chief financial officer and has lost several senior staff members due to resignations in recent months.
“In considering the challenges and the current state of my personal life, I’m sad to inform you that I am withdrawing from candidacy,” Hopper wrote in an email to college board chair Ed Johnson and Jody Stahancyk, a board member and the chair of the presidential search committee, that was obtained by The Astorian. “This is a difficult decision for me as I have developed a sense of connection to the institution and the community but I feel that I must pursue other opportunities that will better suit my current situation and temperament.”
Despite withdrawing his candidacy, Hopper has continued to maintain communication with college board members. On Saturday, he sent Johnson and Stahancyk a detailed institutional renewal and revitalization plan for the college’s next two years. And in an email to Johnson on Monday, Hopper wrote that he was impressed by Hogue, and offered to serve as a mentor to the less-experienced candidate.
Feedback
With the assistance of consulting group Gold Hill Associates, the college board launched its presidential search process in February.
Hopper was the clearly preferred candidate in feedback submitted to the board from college staff and people in the community. Several survey respondents expressed that while they found Hogue personable and appreciated his connection to the area, they remained concerned about his relative inexperience and ability to tackle the college’s significant challenges.
“He is underqualified for this position,” one response read. “CCC cannot afford to have another inexperienced person in this role.”
Another survey respondent noted a concern that Hogue has not worked for a community college in six years. Hogue left his position at Mount Hood Community College in 2018 and worked for the educational publishing company Pearson for four years before launching his math tutoring business two years ago.
In the college board’s meeting on Monday, held via Zoom, several faculty and staff members expressed their concerns with Hogue and cautioned the board against hiring a candidate without significant community support.
“If we do go with someone like Jarrod, he will need some help, and my concern is we’re not in a position to give him that help,” said Tom Ank, the college’s head of information security.
Amy Magnussen, the director of TRIO precollege programs, who also served on the presidential search committee, encouraged the board to listen to community feedback.
“I think it’s really critical for the relationship between the Clatsop community and the board that we feel our feedback has been considered,” she said.
Hogue was not among the top choices selected by the presidential search committee.
During an executive session following public comment, the college board met with Debbie Derr, the former president of Mount Hood Community College and Hogue’s former supervisor.
“I realize that this is probably the most critical decision that this board will ever make,” Johnson said when the board returned to open session. “I am very comfortable, after hearing from Debbie Derr, his president at Mount Hood Community College, that he could step in here and do a fantastic job.”
The college board voted 6 to 1 to hire Hogue, pending approval of a contract. Board member Tim Lyman voted in opposition.
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