Michael Stoma: "We feel it is critically important to have a smooth transition to ensure our students, faculty and staff receive the leadership they deserve.”

Lone Star College is searching for a chancellor who will continue the institution's positive impact, Michael Stoma, Board of Trustees Chair, said. His remarks were made in response to the announced retirement of Stephen Head, the current Chancellor, reported by the college on July 3.

“Lone Star College conducted a nationwide search to identify and select candidates who are ready to lead the college and continue its focus on student success and service to the community... We feel it is critically important to have a smooth transition to ensure our students, faculty and staff receive the leadership they deserve," Stoma told the Houston Daily.

The board will interview five people for the job, an article in Community Impact says. Each candidate will be able to tour the campus and attend live-streamed forums through Zoom. The article says the Association of Community College Trustees will assist in choosing the right candidate.

The five candidates for the job, the college website says, are Joyce Ester, David Sam, Lonnie Howard, Lee Ann Nutt, and Mario Castillo. The candidates' bios are available through links on the chancellor search page.

Head has held the job for eight years. He will retire on Aug. 1, the Community Impact article says.

Lone Star College is attended by more than 80,000 students per semester, the college's website says. The college provides a quality and cost-effective education that trains students for future careers, its website says.

Stoma is the District One representative and chair of the board of Trustees, with a term ending in 2024, the college's website says. He is from Houston and has taught electronics engineering technology and other classes. He is a Vietnam veteran and has additionally been involved in public service within the Houston Police Department and the state House of Representatives, the website says.