Madison Reporter

The Madison College District Board of Trustees has announced three finalists in the search for a new president to succeed Dr. Jack E. Daniels III, who will retire in January. The candidates are Dr. Carlos O. Cortez, Dr. Muddassir Siddiqi, and Dr. Tia Robinson-Cooper.

Dr. Carlos O. Cortez previously served as chancellor of the San Diego Community College District and president of San Diego College of Continuing Education. He has held faculty positions at Johns Hopkins University, National University, New York University, and the University of California at Berkeley, Los Angeles, and San Diego. His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University, a Master of Arts from New York University, and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Southern California.

Dr. Muddassir Siddiqi is currently vice chancellor of instructional innovation and digital strategy at the Houston Community College System and formerly served as president of Central College within the same system. He holds a Doctor of Education in Adult Education from Northern Illinois University, an MBA from the University of Northern Alabama, and a master’s degree in industrial technology from the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Dr. Tia Robinson-Cooper most recently was chancellor for Ivy Tech Community College’s South Bend-Elkhart campus and has been president of Contra Costa College in California as well as provost and vice president of academic affairs/chief academic officer at Inver Hills Community College. Her qualifications include a Doctor of Education in Counseling and Adult Higher Education, an MBA, and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership.

These candidates were selected through a nationwide search conducted by Gold Hill Associates and were recommended to the board after interviews with the college's search committee. They will participate in forums open to the Madison College community on October 14th, 16th, and 21st.

“We are fortunate to have three exceptional candidates vying to become Madison College's next president,” said Donald D. Dantzler Jr., Chair of the Madison College District Board of Trustees. “We eagerly anticipate feedback from the Madison College community, stakeholders and the public as we thoughtfully evaluate these finalists."

The board plans to announce its decision later this year before President Daniels retires after more than 11 years at Madison College.

Further details about each candidate's biography can be found on the Madison College Presidential Search web page.