Barbara R. Kavalier, Ph.D., named fourth president of St. Charles Community College

Published: 06/23/2016

The St. Charles Community College Board of Trustees has named Barbara R. Kavalier, Ph.D., district president of Narvarro College in Corsicana, Tex., as the next president of St. Charles Community College.  She will take the helm of Missouri’s fourth largest community college district Aug. 10, following the service of Ron Chesbrough, Ph.D., who accepted the presidency at Cazenovia College in New York state earlier this year. Todd Galbierz, vice president for administrative services, will continue his service as interim president through Aug. 9.

Trustees agreed on the selection in the Closed Session meeting at the June 13 Board meeting after which employment arrangements were formulated and resulted in successful acceptance on June 22 after a four-month nationwide search process. Kavalier was selected from a large field of excellent candidates from across the country, said Pamela Cilek, secretary of the Board and chair of the Presidential Search Committee.

A committee representing the Board, faculty, staff, students, Foundation Board, and community residents participated in screening and interviewing the candidates. The Board of Trustees also invited and considered feedback from the Search Committee and individual attendees of Open Forums hosted for each candidate on campus. The search was coordinated by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT).

“We are thrilled with the results of the presidential search and the selection of Dr. Barbara Kavalier as the college’s next leader,” Cilek said.  She said Kavalier’s years of experience in college leadership and administration and her commitment to student success, academic innovation, community partnerships and the community college mission prepared her well to become SCC’s fourth president.

Since 2013, Kavalier served as district president for Navarro College, an institution with four campuses and one career and technical center that serves five counties in Central Texas. Prior to her role at Navarro College, she served as the president of San Jose City College in San Jose, Calif. She has extensive experience working in large, multi-college districts, including serving as vice president for student services within the San Diego Community College District, one of the largest college districts in California, and 20 years as an administrator within the Dallas County Community College District. 

In the area of academics, she served as a faculty member for the Ed.D. Program in Higher Education Leadership at San Diego State University, was a Visiting Scholar at The University of Texas at Austin and served for many years as an adjunct faculty with the Dallas County Community College District. 

Kavalier holds a doctorate in educational administration from The University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Science degree in business and human relations from Amberton University, a Bachelor of Science degree in education, majoring in English from Texas Christian University, and an Associate Degree from Mountain View College. 

Board President Jean Ehlmann said that in selecting Kavalier, trustees were impressed with her 35 years of progressive experience in higher education including her work with business and industry, research, strategic planning, technology, accreditation and leadership in academic program development. “The Board is confident she will offer the kind of leadership and inspiration that will help the college achieve its most ambitious goals and further enhance the quality of programs and services for which our college is known.”

“I’m very honored to have been selected as the next president of St. Charles Community College,” Kavalier said. “As SCC celebrates its 30^th year, I’m excited to work alongside such a strong Board and an incredible group of faculty and staff. One only has to step on the beautiful campus to feel a sense of pride in the facilities, as well as in the programs and services that serve the community.”

Kavalier is a nationally recognized researcher, author and presenter on higher education topics, including strategic planning, entrepreneurial leadership, innovative instruction, employee recruitment and development, shared governance and institutional effectiveness. She holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and was a U.S. Amateur Ballroom Dance Association instructor. She is married to Jim Kavalier, a retired community college faculty member.

St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.