The search for the next full-time President of Modesto Junior College will be extended into the fall, it was announced June 15 by Dr. Henry Yong, Chancellor of the Yosemite Community College District. No offer was extended to any of the candidates that had been selected by a search committee.

Yong made the decision to continue the recruitment process after careful deliberation and consultation with the YCCD Board of Trustees, current search committee members, faculty, staff and community members.

Dr. Chad Redwing will remain as Interim Modesto College President until a new President is appointed. Redwing took over in February and said then he would not be a candidate for the full-time position.

In late May, the district announced that the 13-member search committee had identified four finalists to lead MJC. They were: Christopher Breitmeyer, President at Clatsop Community College in Astoria, Ore.; Dr. Beatriz Espinoza, former President of Coastal Bend Community College in Corpus Christi, Texas; Dr. Phillip King, Vice President for Student Learning, Equity and Success at Shoreline Community College in Shoreline, Wash.; and Dr. Rafe Edward Trickey, Jr., President and CEO of the North San Diego County Promise.

King withdrew from consideration before final interviews were conducted; the other three candidates completed that process in early June.

“Selecting a new President for MJC is a very important decision,” Yong said. “Despite the hard work of the search committee, public forums, and on-campus interviews of three finalists, we unfortunately did not find a candidate who we believe is the right fit for the position. I want to thank all the applicants for their interest as well as the search committee members for their hard work.”

Yong said the district will restart the search in the fall with the goal of having a full-time MJC President in place early in 2024.