The president of Ferrum College said Tuesday he’ll leave the job he’s held since 2018, effective almost immediately.
David Johns will remain in his post through Monday, according to a news release from the school.
The release did not say why he’s leaving, but Johns was named in recent weeks as a finalist for the top job at two other schools: Northern New Mexico College, a state-supported school in Española, New Mexico, and Wenatchee Valley College, a public community college in Wenatchee, Washington.
Johns withdrew his name from consideration for the New Mexico post last week, according to Wilson Paine, Ferrum’s vice president for institutional advancement and external relations. He was to be interviewed this Monday for the Wenatchee job, that school’s website reported. Interviews for the four finalists run through Thursday.
“I am proud of all we have accomplished these past five years and the way we have worked together to make Ferrum a great place to live, work, study and play. I appreciate the support I have received from the Board throughout this process,” Johns said in the news release from Ferrum.
Ferrum’s board of trustees has begun the process to select an interim president to oversee the college while a national search is conducted for its next leader. In the meantime, Kevin Reilly, vice president for academic affairs, has been named chief operating officer of the college, the release said.
“We are grateful for [Johns’] service to the college and his many contributions during his tenure as president, including managing the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and for his efforts in establishing the strategic direction of the college,” Scott Showalter, chairman of the board of trustees, said in the release. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we wish Dr. Johns all the best in his next endeavor.”
Additional information about the transition in leadership will be shared as it becomes available, the college said.