SWIC names Georgia Costello new college President
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Costello will assume the position today from Elmer H. Kirchoff, Ph.D., who will remain with the college for an indefinite period. "This will ensure a smooth transition that is in the best interest of the college's students, faculty, administrators, and staff," Mance said.
The advertised search for a new college president was initiated shortly after Kirchoff, 73, announced at the April 23 public meeting of the SWIC Board of Trustees that he planned to step down on or about July 1. The search process was facilitated by Illinois Community College Trustee Association consultant Dr. Gary Davis and SWIC Board Attorney Garrett P. Hoerner. They worked with a selection committee representing college administrators, faculty, support staff, students, and members of the community. The process yielded a recommendation to name Costello.
"We believe our search, which was well advertised, well publicized, and which was inclusive of all members of the college community and the community at large, yielded the best, unanimously recommended candidate," said Dr. Davis. "It was a thoughtful, diligent process."
"On this occasion, first and foremost, we are most grateful for the 10-year leadership (1998-2008) provided by Dr. Kirchoff," Mance said. "During his presidency, the college made significant strides, including a nearly 20 percent increase in enrollment in a period when many other colleges and universities, regionally and nationally, were far less successful. In 2000, he also helped orchestrate our name change and evolution from Belleville Area College to Southwestern Illinois College to better reflect our expansive service area."
"Simultaneously, the appointment of Dr. Costello represents what we trust will be a seamless transition that will serve the college's best interest for the foreseeable future," Mance added. "As a former BAC student and lifelong community resident, as an experienced educator and administrator in the regional school system, and as an astute political figure who knows how to turn issues into opportunities, Dr. Costello is absolutely the best person for this job."
Costello, 58, attended then Belleville Area College in 1967 before completing her undergraduate studies in 1977 at McKendree College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education degree. In 1994, Costello earned her Master of Science in Educational Administration degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she also earned her doctorate in Educational Administration and Higher Education in 2007.
Professionally, Costello began her career as a teacher with Belleville Grade School District 118 where she served from 1977 to 1990. Costello subsequently served from 1997 to 1998 as Dean of Students and from 1999 to 2000 as principal of Central Junior High School in Belleville Public School District 118. From 2000-2005, she served as assistant superintendent at the St. Clair County Regional Office of Education, where she remained as a consultant to the regional superintendent before taking the position as SWIC President. In her career, Costello has served on the Illinois Governor's Education Accountability and Education Excellence Task Forces, and is on the Board of Trustees of McKendree University.
"As Dr. Kirchoff always reminded us, Southwestern Illinois College represents the very best value in postsecondary education and lifelong learning for the residents of Community College District 522," Costello said. "Our tuition is most affordable; our faculty is of the highest quality, with no reliance on student teaching assistants to deliver instruction; and a majority of community college graduates, return ‘home' to work, live and contribute to our economy. Southwestern is a great institution and I am honored to be its next president."
Of his presidency, Kirchoff said: "It has been my sincerest pleasure to serve as president since 1998; it has been my humble privilege to work with the very best faculty, administrators, and staff at any college anywhere; and it will be my distinct honor to help Dr. Costello carry on the tradition of excellence that has been the hallmark of this institution for more than 60 years."