May 4, 2004

(Dallas) - Following a national search for the next president of Mountain View College, the names of three finalists have been announced by Dr. Jesus "Jess" Carreon, chancellor of the Dallas County Community College District. The three finalists are: Dr. Ronald M. Davis, vice president for academic and student affairs at Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton, Va.; Dr. Marie Foster Gnage, senior vice president for academic affairs at Raritan Valley Community College in North Branch, N.J.; and Felix Zamora, vice president of student and institutional development at Eastfield College (part of the DCCCD system) in Mesquite.

"I am pleased to share the names of three excellent candidates for president of Mountain View College," said Carreon. "This week, we welcomed our finalists as they visited the campus to talk with faculty, staff and students."

The finalists visited on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (May 3-5), each taking a college tour with MVC student leaders; meeting the campus community during an information reception during the lunch hour; and participating in a candidate forum, which began with an opening statement from the visiting finalist. Candidates also responded to questions that were submitted by members of the college community, as well as questions from audience members who attended the forum.

Carreon will name the new president, pending approval of the DCCCD board of trustees, this summer, possibly in June. Dr. Monique Amerman, current president of MVC, announced her retirement earlier this year.

Davis is a member of the statewide Academic and Student Affairs Council, which is an extension of the Virginia Community College System. He has held a number of other administrative positions at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Georgia Perimeter College and Northern Virginia Community College. In his work as a division dean, Davis also was responsible for teaching mathematics and computer science. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Albright College; a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Maryland-College Park; and a doctorate in mathematics education from UM-College Park as well. Davis also has done post-doctoral study at the Clarkston University Institute for Retraining in Computer Science.

Gnage, who previously served as assistant vice chancellor for educational services at Pima Community College, has extensive administrative and teaching experience in Florida at Broward Community College, Central Florida Community College and Florida A&M University. She has completed several professional development programs with the League for Innovation in the Community College and the American Council on Education. Gnage earned a bachelor's degree in English from Alcorn A&M College in Lorman, Miss.; a master's degree in English from the University of Southwestern Louisiana; and her doctorate in English/American literature from Florida State University.

Zamora, who has served DCCCD in various capacities since 1986, also has filled administrative roles at Alamo Community College District in San Antonio and previously has taught in the business division at Eastfield College. He earned his bachelor's degree in international studies from the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vt.; his master's degree in public administration from Southern Methodist University; and is pursuing a doctorate in urban and public policy from the University of Texas at Arlington, which he expects to complete in 2005. He also has experience in resource development and fund raising.

For more information, contact the DCCCD office of human resources at 214.860.2430.