Trustees select new president for FSCJ

Dr. Cynthia Bioteau

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Florida State College at Jacksonville District Board of Trustees voted Tuesday to offer the position of college president to Dr. Cynthia Bioteau, who is currently president of Salt Lake Community College.

A preliminary vote to determine as to which way trustees were leaning in their choice established that Bioteau was the unanimous choice, school officials said in a news release. Several trustees were quick to point out that both Bioteau and Dr. Garrett Hinshaw, the finalist from Catawba Valley Community College, were excellent candidates.

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A formal vote resulted in a unanimous slate in favor of Bioteau. Board Chairman Jim Mayo called a brief recess while he and Interim President Willis Holcombe called Bioteau to inform her of the board's decision.

When the board reconvened and Bioteau's acceptance was announced, the board voted to enter into negotiations with her on a contract. It is expected the contract will be finalized and voted on at the November Board of Trustees meeting, to be held at noon Nov. 12

Bioteau was selected as one of two finalists from a pool of 26 candidates, narrowed down to six semifinalists, who were interviewed by the search committee in public meetings during the month of September. Bioteau and Hinshaw emerged as the two finalists. Each participated in final public interviews conducted by the FSCJ board of trustees on Oct. 2 and 3.

"We are just so enthusiastic about what this college will do in the next decade and years to come," said chairman Jim Mayo.

It is anticipated the new president will start in January. Bioteau will be replacing Holcombe, who served as interim president since January, after long-time President Steven Wallace stepped down under fire for mismanagement of financial aid, travel expenses and other issues.

Wallace was to continue to be paid for the remainder of 2013 under a modified contract, but that was terminated in January after the board learned he was investigated for abusing leave time and ethics violations.