Former Lieutenant Gov. Sue Ellspermann faces more than two dozen competitors in her bid to be the next president of Ivy Tech Community College.
More than 30 people from in and outside Indiana have applied to be the next president of Ivy Tech -- the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college.
So far Ellspermann is the only candidate to publicly declare that she's applied. And while Gov. Mike Pence has endorsed her for the job, Ivy Tech Board Chairwoman Paula Hughes says she doesn't think that hindered others from applying.
"We are looking for the type of person that is ready to step into a challenge,” Hughes says. “We have a lot that we want to accomplish for Ivy Tech and if an individual is intimidated by the political aspects of Ivy Tech, then they are not going to be suited to running the job day in and day out."
The college search committee will now choose some applicants for in-person interviews. A finalist could be named in April.
The college says it will not release the names of those who applied. Indiana law allows public colleges and universities to conduct private presidential searches.
Ivy Tech President Tom Snyder announced in September that he would retire early this summer.