New search ordered for Gadsden State President, new interim president named

Dr. Helen McAlpine

Gadsden State Community College has a new president, but Wednesdays announcement was not what most people expected. Alabama Community College System Chancellor Dr. Mark Heinrich announced that he has appointed Dr. Helen McAlpine as the new interim president of the local community college.  McAlpine is not one of the five candidates who were recently interviewed for the job.  According to the Chancellor's office, Heinrich decided that none of the five candidates were the right choice for the position, so he is ordering that the presidential search be re-launched in an effort to find more suitable candidates.  In the meantime, Dr. McAlpine will serve in an interim capacity.  McAlpine comes to Gadsden State after serving as president of  the state's J.F. Drake Technical College in Huntsville.  She has more than 40 years of experience in the field of education and is no stranger to East Alabama - having served in prior positions with Gadsden City Schools and with Jacksonville State.  McAlpine's appointment will be effective on July 1st.  No time frame has been set for the new presidential search to begin.