Calhoun looking for new prez to replace Klauber

Published 7:31 pm Friday, March 16, 2018

Calhoun Community College President James Klauber has been named president of Hagerstown Community College in Maryland. His appointment was announced Friday morning.

Klauber will leave Calhoun on June 1, after three years as college president. When he leaves, the community college will be looking for a new leader.

Klauber said he has talked to the chancellor of the Alabama Community College System about finding an interim president to lead the school.

“I felt like the college was at a good point where I could leave and a lot of the things we’ve started will continue on,” Klauber said.

As for his reasons for going to Maryland, he said, “It’s a great opportunity. I’m not going to lie, they’ve made a very generous offer.”

He didn’t elaborate on the offer but said the move was a good decision for his family.

Klauber, 51, was selected as Calhoun’s fourth president following a nationwide search and a review of 60 applicants. A South Carolina native, he came to Calhoun in early 2015 to replace Marilyn Beck, who retired.

Klauber cited increased student retention and growth and improvement in Calhoun’s online course offerings as some of the highlights of his three years at the college.

The college earlier this month said its three-year graduation rate has almost doubled, from 13 percent in 2014 to 25 percent in 2017.

Tracking students’ progress – and intervening when they’re at risk of leaving – has been key in improving the graduation rate, Klauber said.

“The board looks forward to Dr. Klauber’s leadership as we continue our mission of providing quality higher education, career programs and workforce development opportunities to our community,” Austin Abraham, Calhoun board chairman, said.

“Teresa, our boys, and I are excited to open this new chapter of our lives and make Washington County our home,” said Klauber in a Hagerstown news release upon learning of his appointment. “Hagerstown Community College is a vital part of this region, and we look forward to becoming a part of the community.”

Before serving at Calhoun, Klauber was the president of Owensboro Community and Technical College in Kentucky. He also served as senior vice president and general counsel, as well as vice president for institutional advancement for Piedmont Technical College in South Carolina.

Hagerstown’s former president, Guy Altieri, retired Dec. 31.