Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has narrowed its lengthy presidential search from five to two candidates.Earlier this week, MCLA’s Board of Trustees named two finalists – Dr. Jaimie Birge and Dr. Alan Ray. Birge is interim president of Marygrove College in Detroit and was previously president of Franklin Pierce University. Ray is a visiting scholar at Harvard Law School after stepping down as president of Elmhurst College in Illinois in June. In March, MCLA’s pick to replace President Mary Grant withdrew due to family health concerns launching the college’s second search in less than a year.
“We came into this transition period in a position of strength,” said MCLA Board of Trustees Chair Tyler Fairbank in August.
MCLA’s Trustees are meeting Dec. 10th to decide who to recommend to the state Board of Higher of Education as the college’s next president.