State Fair Community College has announced four finalists in its search for the college’s next president. The candidates will visit SFCC's Sedalia campus Oct. 26-29 for a series of public forums and community events.

The finalists are Dr. Jess Kelly, Dr. Jose da Silva, Dr. Cliff Davis and Dr. Caron Daugherty. Each candidate will participate in two public forums and an evening social hour during their scheduled campus visit.

SFCC employees, students, alumni and community members are encouraged to attend the events to meet the finalists, learn about their professional experience and vision for the college, ask questions and provide feedback to the SFCC Board of Trustees.

The finalists and their scheduled visits are:

 

Monday, Oct. 26: Dr. Jess Kelly

Kelly serves as executive director of online teaching and learning for the Lone Star College System in Texas. Previously, Kelly served as dean of mathematics and sciences at Lone Star College-University Park.

Kelly earned a doctorate in biology from Baylor University; a master's degree in limnology and applied multivariate statistics and a bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry from Stephen F. Austin State University; and an associate degree in natural sciences, chemistry and mathematics from Tyler Junior College.

 

Tuesday, Oct. 27: Dr. Jose da Silva

Da Silva serves as vice president for strategic enrollment management and student success at Southwest Tennessee Community College. Previously, he served as interim vice president for academic and student affairs at the college.

Da Silva earned a doctorate in higher education administration and a bachelor's degree in sociology from Florida State University, as well as an associate degree from Tallahassee Community College.

 

Wednesday, Oct. 28: Dr. Cliff Davis

Davis serves as president of the Richwood Valley Campus at Ozarks Technical Community College in Missouri. Previously, he served as president of the Table Rock Campus, vice chancellor for advancement, student affairs and strategic planning, and executive director of the Ozarks Tech Foundation.

Davis earned a doctorate in instructional leadership and higher education administration from Lindenwood University and master's and bachelor's degrees in communication from Missouri State University.

 

Thursday, Oct. 29: Dr. Caron Daugherty

Daugherty serves as president of Flint Hills Technical College in Kansas. Previously, she served as vice chancellor of instruction and chief academic officer at Metropolitan Community College in Missouri.

Daugherty earned a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri, a master's degree in English and a bachelor's degree in English and professional writing from Missouri State University.

 

Community Forums and Opportunities for Feedback

Each finalist will participate in two one-hour public forums at 11 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. on their scheduled visit date. The forums will take place in Stauffacher Theatre on SFCC's Sedalia campus.

Each forum will include a brief introduction of the candidate followed by a question-and-answer session. The forums also will be livestreamed at sfccmo.edu/presidential-search for those unable to attend in person.

Community members are encouraged to submit questions for the candidates in advance at sfccmo.edu/presidential-search.

In addition to the forums, SFCC will host a social hour with each finalist at 7 p.m. in the Thompson Conference Center on the Sedalia campus. These informal gatherings are open to the entire community and provide another opportunity to meet the candidates.

Forum attendees will be invited to complete feedback forms evaluating each finalist. The feedback will be shared with the SFCC Board of Trustees for consideration as the board deliberates and selects the college's next president.

The presidential search follows SFCC President Dr. Brent Bates' announcement in January that he will retire Dec. 31 after nearly 40 years in higher education. Bates has served as SFCC's sixth president since July 2022.

Additional information about the finalists, community forums and presidential search is available at sfccmo.edu/presidential-search.