At the border of the final exams: What advice can we follow?
On Tuesday, Jan. 27, Butler Community College (BCC) hosted an open forum for the position of executive vice president of Academics (EVPA). College employees and students assembled at the Welcome Center in welcoming a candidate for the EVPA role. Marc Malone, discussed leadership, institutional values and quality of education at Butler.
Photo from Garden City Community College
Malone, who currently is the vice president for Instructional Services at Garden City Community College (GCCC), is one of the candidates applying for the executive vice president of Academics position. In his current role as a whole, Malone manages instructional programs and academic support throughout (GCCC’s) campus and also helps with academic planning and makes the college run effectively.
As the event unfolded, Malone shared his interest in his ongoing growth within the community sector and his commitment to stay in Kansas. He also stated that staying in the state allows him to stay close to his family.
Also, during the course of his speech he discussed the importance and roles of leadership. “Getting up and getting ready is the system for me,” Malone said.
Malone explained how consistency helps him stay focused and prepare him for what his roles demand.
During the Q&A session, Keith West, a professor of Mass Communications, asked about Butler’s focus on academic quality. Malone explains how learning should always come first in a community college.
“I am a learning centered leader,” Malone said. “Learning is at the heart of what we do at a community college.”
Professor of English Katheryn McCoskey asked how Butler supports students that might not be fully ready for college level work.
“I know in your current role that you have organized reforms in developmental education and getting prepared for Kansas Board of Regent’s (KBOR) changes that are coming up,” McCoskey said. “How would you continue to advocate for developmental education, and now that co-requisites are mandated in English, what weaknesses do you see in that current system for students….? Malone explained that community colleges serve many students who need extra help, and that schools should support them to succeed, not leaving them behind.
“As an open access institution, students come to us academically underprepared and our job is to figure out how to help them,” Malone said.
The next EVPA will replace Barry Robinson. On Wednesday, Nov. 19, College President Tamera Daniel informed college staff about an update regarding leadership in the vice president of Academics role. Robinson, who was hired on Aug. 19, 2024, “completed his service” on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. The position has since been narrowed down to three candidates, but one will be chosen.
The open forum gave both students and professors an opportunity to listen directly from a candidate and give a clear idea of Butler’s main goals, especially its focus on a good education and helping students succeed.
