Dr. Carlos O. Cortez has decided to withdraw from the presidential search process, Madison College announced on Monday, leaving Dr. Tia Robinson-Cooper and Dr. Muddassir Siddiqi as the two candidates looking to succeed current president Dr. Jack Daniels III who will be retiring this upcoming January.
Dr. Muddassir Siddiqi is the vice chancellor of instructional innovation and digital strategy at the Houston Community College System. He previously served as president of Central College within the Houston Community College System. Dr. Siddiqi holds a Doctor of Education in Adult Education from Northern Illinois University, an MBA from the University of Northern Alabama, and a master’s degree in industrial technology from the Illinois Institute of Technology
Dr. Tia Robinson-Cooper most recently served as chancellor for Ivy Tech Community College’s South Bend-Elkhart campus. Prior to that, she was president of Contra Costa College in California and served as provost and vice president of academic affairs/chief academic officer at Inver Hills Community College. She holds a Doctor of Education in Counseling and Adult Higher Education, an MBA, and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, among other qualifications.
Finalist candidates will be visiting the college for interviews and employee/student forums as well as community forums in the coming weeks, according to Madison College, and the Madison College District Board of Trustees will be making its selection with a decision slated for November or December.
