Finalists for President of Rochester Community and Technical College Named

Posted: February 15, 2018

Contact: Doug Anderson, doug.anderson@MinnState.edu, 651-201-1426

Campus visits scheduled for February 20 - 22

ST. PAUL, Minn., Feb. 15, 2018 – Minnesota State has named the finalists who are under consideration to become the next president of Rochester Community and Technical College. The candidates are Jeffery Boyd, Utpal Goswami, and Charles Nwankwo.

The candidates were recommended by a search advisory committee comprised of students, faculty, staff, and community leaders and chaired by Pat Johns, president of Lake Superior College. The candidates are scheduled to visit the RCTC campus between February 20 and February 22. The campus visits present an opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and members of the community to meet and offer feedback on each of the candidates. 

Jeffery Boyd

Jeffery Boyd has served Tidewater Community College (VA) as the provost of the Norfolk campus since 2014. Previously, he served Elgin Community College (IL) from 2006 to 2014, Quad County Urban League in 2005, Olivet Nazarene University (IL) from 2003 to 2004, and Waubonsee Community College (IL) from 2001 to 2003. He holds an associate degree from San Joaquin Delta College (CA), a bachelor’s degree from Judson University (IL), a master’s from the University of Phoenix (AZ), and a doctorate from National Louis University (IL). His campus visit is scheduled for Thursday, February 22.

Utpal Goswami

Utpal Goswami has served as president of MCC-Maple Woods, a campus of the Metropolitan Community College district (MO), since 2013. Previously, he served the College of the Redwoods (CA) from 2010 to 2013, Yavapai College (AZ) from 2006 to 2010, St. Louis Community College-Meramec (MO) from 2001 to 2006, and Schreiner University from 1987 to 2001. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delhi, a master’s degree from Boston University, and a master’s and a doctorate from Southern Methodist University. His campus visit is scheduled for Wednesday, February 21.

Charles Nwankwo


Charles Nwankwo
has served Chandler-Gilbert Community College (AZ) since 2014 in several capacities including his current roles as interim vice president of Academic Affairs and vice president of Information Technology & Media Services/CIO. Previously, he served SOWELA Technical Community College (LA) from 2008 to 2014, and the Houston Community College System from 1995 to 2008. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, and a doctorate from the University of Texas. His campus visit is scheduled for Tuesday, February 20.

The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is expected to act on Interim Chancellor Devinder Malhotra’s recommendation of a final candidate at its March 21 meeting. The new president is expected to begin in July, 2018.

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Established in 1915, Rochester Community and Technical College is the largest higher education provider in the fastest-growing city in Minnesota, serving more than 7,500 students a year in credit courses and nearly 4,000 in non-credit continuing and workforce education programs. RCTC combines the best in liberal arts, technical, and life-long learning with more than 70 credit-based programs and over 100 credential options. RCTC’s expansive 518-acre campus includes university partnerships, a diverse student body, and a vibrant student life program. RCTC provides a unique learning environment that offers the feel of a four-year university campus with the commitment to access and opportunity of a two-year college.

Minnesota State includes 30 community and technical colleges and seven state universities serving approximately 375,000 students. It is the fourth-largest system of two-year colleges and four-year universities in the United States.