The president of two Dakota County community colleges plans to stay despite a recent no-confidence vote by staff on one campus.
Tim Wynes, who leads Inver Hills Community College and Dakota County Technical College, or DCTC, wrote in an email to staff Monday that he withdrew last week from consideration for the president’s post at Illinois Central College. Wynes applied for the job in November and was one of four finalists.
Leaders of the Illinois college picked their new leader last week and are expected to formally hire the candidate later this month, according to school officials.
In his email to staff, Wynes said that despite strong family ties in central Illinois, “nostalgia doesn’t trump reason.” He noted the “serious financial crisis” Illinois colleges face.
Wynes acknowledge the campuses he leads in Inver Grove Heights and Rosemount have problems of their own but said both have a “bright future.”
“Illinois Central is an excellent stand alone community college, but there is work I wish to see through and opportunities yet to be realized at both Inver Hills and DCTC,” Wynes’ message said. “I am not ready to leave.”
Many faculty members on the Inver Hills campus have a different view of Wynes’ leadership. In January, members of the Inver Hills State College Faculty Association, which represents 134 professors and instructors, supported a no-confidence vote in Wynes and asked him to step down.
Leaders of the faculty association criticized Wynes’ budget priorities and said his dual leadership role made him ineffective at Inver Hills. They said morale was falling and staff turnover was increasing under his leadership.
Steven Rosenstone, chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, of which both of Wynes’ schools are members, has said repeatedly he has complete confidence in Wynes. Last month Rosenstone said, “It would certainly be a loss if Tim were to accept a position elsewhere.”
Wynes has expressed disappointment with the faculty’s no-confidence vote and said he is working to address their concerns. School leaders have noted that Wynes applied to Illinois Central College last fall, before the no-confidence vote.
In his message Monday, Wynes said he would do everything he could to collaborate and communicate with staff about the two schools’ futures. He noted work to implement new strategic plans and to improve the schools’ shared administration.
“I look forward to continuing to work with all of you on the opportunities yet to be realized at both Inver Hills and DCTC,” Wynes wrote.