State Center Community College District’s search for a new chancellor is seeking community input on the best person for the job.

The district, which covers most of Fresno and Madera counties and small portions of Kings and Tulare counties, has scheduled four virtual forums next month for people to weigh in on the search for a permanent successor to Chancellor Paul Parnell.

Parnell steps aside from the chancellor’s job on Saturday but remains with the district on special projects until his retirement on July 6.  The interim Chancellor is Douglas Houston.

The online meetings will enable the public to help identify the professional and personal qualifications that the new chancellor should have and the challenges he or she faces.

The town hall meetings will be facilitated by the search firm, PPL Inc., and hosted by a State Center trustee on the following schedule:

• May 5, 1 p.m., Clovis Community College, Trustee Deborah Ikeda
• May 5, 6 p.m., Madera Community College, Trustee Bobby Kahn
• May 10, 1 p.m., Reedley College, Trustee Magdalena Gomez
• May 10, 6 p.m., Fresno City College, Board President Annalisa Perea

Participants may access each virtual forum from the District website, www.scccd.edu. During the forums, PPL Inc. representatives will describe the search process and then ask for public input. Those unable to attend a forum can submit comments or questions to jriggs@pplpros.com. The deadline is May 14.

State Center serves about 65,000 students annually at Fresno City College, Reedley College, Clovis Community College, Madera Community College, Madera Community College at Oakhurst, and the Career & Technology Center.