Three finalists seeking to serve as the president of Columbia Basin College are scheduled to visit the campus this month for interviews with students, staff and the college’s Board of Trustees.

They are seeking to fill the position formerly held by Rich Cummins, who resigned as president of the college in March after 27 years at CBC. He served as president for nine years and left to take a position at Western Governors University, an online university.

Former CBC president, Lee Thornton, is serving as interim president during the search process. CBC officials said they hope to have a new president on board by the start of the fall classes on Sept. 18.

The three finalists for the position include Barbara Hanson, chancellor at Louisiana Delta Community College in Monroe, Louisiana; Rebecca Williamson, interim vice president of instruction at Green River Community College in Auburn, Washington; and Rebekah Woods, provost at Jackson College in Jackson, Michigan.

Hanson’s other recent positions include vice president for learning at the Central Campus at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas; and vice president for instruction at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, North Carolina.

She is scheduled to visit Aug. 17-18.

“I want to be part of an institution that is so obviously committed to preparing its citizenry for meaningful participation in the social, political, economic and aesthetic aspects of community life,” Hanson said in a statement.

Williamson’s other recent positions include vice president of instruction at Community Colleges of Spokane; and dean of instruction at Green River Community College.

She visited CBC in early August.

“I am interested in joining your college because I share your strong commitment to student success. My belief is that the greatest asset of CBC is the people who work there and regularly demonstrate unwavering commitment to the students. I look forward to building on this strong foundation and providing a high quality education that is focused on changing the lives of CBC’s students,” Williamson said in a statement.

Woods’ other recent positions include executive dean of instruction, dean of instruction of arts and sciences, and special assistant to the president, all at Jackson College. She also was dean for student and academic support and strategic enrollment management at Lansing Community College in Lansing, Michigan.

She is scheduled to visit Aug. 23-24.

“I am drawn to the presidency at Columbia Basin College because of the school’s obvious commitment to student success and its unwavering support of its core mission. I am also encouraged by the diverse student population CBC serves and the way it provides educational opportunities for many individuals who would otherwise not have them,” Woods said in a statement.

More information on the candidates, including their resumes and their schedule when they visit CBC, is available at columbiabasin.edu/presidentialsearch.