Bellevue College officials announced Feb. 28 that they have narrowed down the search for the college’s next president to three candidates — one from Texas and two from Illinois.

Dr. Karén Lynn Clos, chief advancement officer/external director for advancement and alumni services at Texas A&M University – Central Texas; Angelia N. Millender, president of Olive-Harvey College, City Colleges of Chicago and Dr. Jerry W. Weber, president of the College of Lake County were selected from around 20 applicants.

Clos has been with Texas A&M since 2014 and was a finalist for the president’s position at Texas Southmost College in 2011, Coastal Bend College in 2012, and at the Lone Star College in 2015. Prior to joining Texas A&M, Clos was the president of the Community College of Denver and held a variety of academic, students services and administrative positions at two- and four-year institutions in Texas, Kansas and California.

Millender joined Olive-Harvey in May 2014. Prior to that, she served in the administrations of Broward College and Robert Morris College. At the latter, she worked to create programs increasing student completion rates and higher career placements.

Weber has been the president at College of Lake County since 2009. He has a long history working with community college, including as the president of Kankakee Community College and in administrative roles at Heartland Community College, Triton College and John Wood Community College, according to his current employer.

The search for a new president began last fall after the resignation of David Rule. It was coordinated by a presidential search advisory committee comprised of representatives from Bellevue College students, faculty, staff, trustees, foundation, and community members, with the assistance of an executive search firm, Gold Hill Associates. The committee selected the three finalists, with the next president being selected by the board.

All three candidates will be visiting Bellevue College, where they will participate in open forums and meet with the board of trustees, the president’s cabinet and other campus groups. Dr. Karén Lynn Clos’s visit is scheduled for March 8, Angelia N. Millender’s is scheduled for March 10 and Dr. Jerry W. Weber’s is scheduled for March 13.