BANGOR, Maine — The head of Washington County Community College in Calais will double up, serving as president of Eastern Maine Community College until a permanent replacement is found, the Maine Community College System announced Monday.
“We are grateful to President [Joseph] Cassidy for his willingness to serve both WCCC and EMCC during this transition,” Maine Community College System Interim President Derek Langhauser said in a Monday news release.
Lawrence Barrett, who has been at the helm of EMCC in Bangor for the past five years, announced in April his tentative plans to accept a job at Florida Gateway College in Lake City, Florida. Those plans are no longer tentative, and the system says Barrett’s time at EMCC will end in mid-July.
He assumes the presidency in Lake City at the end of July.
Langhauser said the search for EMCC’s next president will start this summer, with plans to pick a replacement during the first half of 2016.
“Larry Barrett leaves EMCC in strong shape, and I have no doubt that Joe Cassidy will bring to the college the same thoughtful and effective leadership that has characterized his work at WCCC,” Langhauser said.
Cassidy, a former lawyer and teacher, has served as Washington County Community College president since 2013.
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