Dr. Larry D. Huffman, who worked at IVCC in the mid-1970s as the dean of student development before serving for 14 years as Kankakee Community College's President, has returned to IVCC this summer as the college's ninth president.

 

Dr. Huffman, who had been serving as the Director of Business Programs in the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, was one of the eight presidential candidates recommended to the Board by the Presidential Search Advisory Committee in April.

 

From 1974-1977 Dr. Huffman worked at IVCC under president Dr. Al Wisgoski and was responsible for all student services functions, including the athletic programs.

 

At that time he implemented the college’s first online student registration system, created the policy for compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act and provided better student access to counseling services.

 

Prior to his position with Olivet Nazarene University, Dr. Huffman served as the president and chief financial officer for two years at KFS Bank and Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.

 

From 1987 to 2001, Dr. Huffman served as the president of Kankakee with an enrollment of 4,000. As the longest serving president, Dr. Huffman expanded programs and offerings including online courses and cooperative agreements with other colleges to provide greater student access to educational opportunities.

 

Dr. Huffman acquired state funding of $8 million for a Workforce Development Center as well as nearly $5 million of state funds for construction of a permanent building to replace the temporary facilities.

 

While at KCC, Dr. Huffman was responsible for locally-funded building additions while making renovations in the existing facilities to provide additional instructional space and to accommodate a new corporate education department.

 

Prior to being named president at KCC, Dr. Huffman served as the executive vice-president for academic programs and services for ten years.

 

“Illinois Valley Community College has a long, proud history and I welcome the opportunity to work with the board of trustees, administrators, faculty and staff in developing a plan for collaboratively leading the college into the future. Working together we will do great things for the residents of district 513,” said Huffman.

 

After a nationwide search, Dr. Huffman was selected from a pool of 32 applicants from across the country. The applicants possessed a wide variety of skill levels and backgrounds and were received from Virginia to California and from Texas to Michigan.

 

The Presidential Search Committee narrowed the original pool of applicants down to eight. The committee was charged with compiling a list of strengths and weaknesses of each of the eight candidates. From those eight candidates the IVCC Board of Trustees, based on the feedback from the search committee, interviewed five candidates.

 

“We had five excellent candidates of which I have the highest regard. They all interviewed very well and presented strong credentials. Each of the candidates indicated they would be honored to serve our community. Through much deliberation Dr. Huffman was selected. It was a difficult decision in selecting just one of the candidates,” said Deb Sweeden, board chair.

 

The search process was led by Dr. David R. Pierce, President Emeritus of the American Association of Community Colleges, with oversight provided by Dr. Charles Novak, interim president of IVCC. Dr. Pierce has extensive community college experience at the local, state and national levels.

 

During his career he has served as a community college instructor, department chair, academic dean, president, chancellor and state director. His experience with community colleges spans almost four decades.

 

“This search process has been very competitive. Both the Advisory Committee and the Board interviewed some very talented people and coming to a decision was not easy. I have worked with Larry Huffman in the past and he will bring a style of leadership to IVCC which will not only move the college forward but will also be appreciated by those whom he leads,” said Dr. Novak.

 

Members of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee included: professors Stephen Alvin, Dr. Stephen Charry, Diane Christianson and Pamela Mammano; professional and support staff Donald Aleksy, Tracy Malcom and Rhonda Veit; student trustee Megan Guilfoyle; counselor Jane Sack; vice president, Dr. Robert P. Marshall; board members Lori Scroggs and Dennis Thompson; Foundation Board President, O.J. Stoutner; and community members, Dr. Hans Andrews, M. Blouke Carus and Everett Solon.

 

“The board had identified very specific criteria in our search for the next president. With the detailed application process we were seeking a candidate who would embrace the unique challenges and opportunities IVCC presents. The work of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee was invaluable in this process. The committee worked diligently to gather the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates to assist the Board of Trustees in finding the best presidential fit for IVCC. Their time, commitment, knowledge of our community and broad backgrounds helped us to expedite this process,” said Sweeden.

 

In addition to his academic experience, Dr. Huffman has served as the chair for the Kankakee County Economic Development Council, on the board of directors for the Kankakee River Valley Chamber of Commerce, on the Workforce Investment Board for the Grundy, Livingston and Kankakee counties, on the board of directors for United Way of Kankakee County and as a inquiry panel member for the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission for the Supreme Court of Illinois.

 

Dr. Huffman earned his doctorate degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in Higher Education and his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Western Illinois University. In 2003, Dr. Huffman received a past achievement award from WIU.

 

Dr. Huffman, with family ties in the Illinois Valley, plans to relocate with his wife Christine in the near future.