BLINN CONCLUDES PRESIDENTIAL FINALIST PUBLIC FORUMS
The Blinn Presidential Finalist Forums concluded this afternoon at the Blinn Student Center in Brenham with Dr. Mary Hensley, currently Executive Vice President at Austin Community College. The forums allowed the Blinn, staff, faculty, and the general public to question and listen to the 4 finalists for the Blinn President position. Responding to a question about declining State funding for junior colleges, Dr. Hensley explained how Austin Community College approaches grants to supplement their other funding sources:
This morning, Dr. Sylvia McMullen, current President of the Blinn Bryan campus spoke. One of the questions she covered dealt with her feelings on college athletics:
Yesterday, finalists Dr. Richard Shrubb, former President of Minnesota West Community and Technical College and Dr. Maureen Murphy, President of Brookdale Community College in New Jersey answered questions. Feedback forms were collected from those attending the forums and will be given to the board of Trustees. Each finalist is also meeting in a closed session with the Blinn Board of Trustees this week. Previous Blinn President Harold Nolte retired in January and Dr. Ana Margarita Guzman, is currently serving as interim President.
“Doctor” McMullen must surely think highly of herself. At last check, she has a law degree. No where in her CV does it state her qualifications as a doctor. Although all lawyers receive a Doctor of Jurisprudence as their degree, not one is referred to as “Doctor,” unless they hold, in addition, an actual doctoral degree, as all 3 other candidates hold. If “Doctor” McMullen cannot figure out that her JD is actually a small step above a master’s degree, but still below a doctorate, do we really want her leading this institution of higher learning? This woman is severely under-qualified and Blinn would be doing a disservice to all staff and students by allowing her to lead this college. In my opinion, there are too many chiefs and not enough indians. Ms. McMullen should find employment elsewhere, perhaps where she actually holds the qualifications without misrepresentation.
Brenham Resident, you are correct. If you had been at all of the Blinn presidential candidates Q&As, you would have noted that the finalist, McMullen, attended the first two candidates. By doing so, she learned all of the questions that she would be asked ahead of time and the candidates answers. Is that cheating? It is in my mind. She was also very rude to one of the Brenham Assistant Deans (who is very well-liked and highly thought of) in the audience who attended McMullen’s Q&A, even thought the AD was sick. McMullen said that she could bring the Brenham and Bryan campuses “together.” If she could do that, why hasn’t she done it? Her first step might be don’t be rude to Blinn people in Brenham. McMullen owes this person a public apology. I agree, McMullen, her supporters, and half of the Deans should find work elsewhere.