NICC Board announces appointment of Dr. Liang Chee Wee as president

The Board of Trustees of Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) appointed Dr. Liang Chee Wee as its president following a three-month nationwide search. The trustees voted unanimously to offer a contract to Dr. Wee.
Salary and contract issues including fringe and other benefits have yet to be negotiated.  The search, which drew a number of qualified applicants, began in July of 2011 after Dr. Penny Wills left NICC to assume the presidency of Yavapai College in Prescott, AZ.
Dr. Wee joined NICC as the Calmar Campus Provost in August of 2007 and has served as Interim President since July of 2011. “We are very excited to announce Dr. Wee’s acceptance of the presidency,” said NICC Board President Dr. Ken Reimer. “His skills as a leader, as an advocate for students, and as someone dedicated to community partnerships led us to choose him to lead NICC forward.”
Prior to coming to NICC, Wee served Luther College for 15 years first teaching in the Department of Economics and Business then serving as Chair of the department. In 2001, he accepted the position of Associate Dean for Advising and Special Programs and Registrar. He held that position until 2007, when he came to NICC. Wee earned a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts in management information systems, a Master’s of business administration, and a Ph.D. in business administration all from the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ.
The search was conducted with the assistance of consultant Dr. Larry Ebbers of Iowa State University. Students, community members and NICC faculty and staff were involved in the search process which resulted in the selection of four finalists. During the interview process the Board solicited input on the presidential profile, invited students, members of the community, and NICC faculty and staff to participate in open forums and luncheons with the finalists, and invited the opportunity to provide feedback to the Board.
“The members of the NICC Board of Trustees have asked me to express their sincere appreciation to students, faculty, staff, and members of the community for their active participation in the search process,” said Reimer. “We believe that we have selected in Dr. Wee someone who will be responsive to the needs of all of NICC’s constituents.”