The College of the Mainland board of trustees and presidential search committee will host public forums with each of the four top candidates for COM’s presidential position. One candidate will attend question-and-answer sessions each of the following days:

A.  Dr. Warren Nichols: Tuesday, Nov. 29, 8-9 a.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m. 

B.  Dr. Mark Smith: Thursday, Dec.1, 8-9 a.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m. 

C.  Dr. Utpal Goswami: Friday, Dec. 2, 8-9 a.m. and 11 a.m. to noon 

D.  Dr. Michael Heindl: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 8-9 a.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Location: The meeting room at 1501 Amburn Road, Appomattox Suite 4, Texas City. 

Feedback forms will be available to all who attend the forums for the board of trustees to review. 

Warren Nichols is the vice chancellor for Tennessee’s Community Colleges. Previously, he was the president of Volunteer State Community College, Tennessee. He earned an Associate in Applied Science in law enforcement from Tarrant County College, Texas; a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and a Master of Arts in criminal justice administration from the University of Texas at Arlington; and a Doctor of Education in higher education administration from the University of Houston Graduate School. 

Mark Smith is the vice president for educational services/chief academic officer at Temple College. Previously, he was the interim vice president of educational services/chief academic officer and the associate vice president for distance education at Temple College, Texas. He earned an Associate of Science in electronic systems technology and instructor of technology and military services from the Community College of the Air Force; an Associate of Science in Technology Fort Steilacoom Community College (Pierce College), Washington; a Bachelor of General Studies and a Master of Business Administration from William Carey University, Mississippi; and a Doctor of Philosophy in education from Capella University, Minnesota. 

Michael Heindl is the executive vice president of administration and finance at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Previously, he was the vice president of the Jackson County Campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. He earned an Associate of Arts in music from Hinds Community College, a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Mississippi College, a Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in community college leadership from Mississippi State University.

Utpal Goswami is the president of the Maple Woods Campus of Metropolitan Community College, Missouri. Previously, he served as the Interim President/Superintendent of College of the Redwoods, California. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Delhi, India; a Master of Arts in development economics from Boston University; and a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy in economics from Southern Methodist University. 

 View complete biographies at www.com.edu/presidential-search/finalists. For more information, email presidentialsearch@com.edu or call 409-933-8271.