One of four vice presidents of community colleges – three in Mississippi and one in Tennessee – may serve as the next president of Meridian Community College.

Finalists announced Friday include Scott Alsobrooks of Pearl River Community College, James D. Burnham of Holmes Community College, Paul Miller of East Mississippi Community College and Ted Lewis of Pellissippi State College in Knoxville, Tennessee.

The MCC Board of Trustees narrowed the search to the finalists during its April regular monthly meeting. College President Scott Elliott plans to retire this summer after serving for 20 years, although he may remain at the school to assist with the transition.

“We are very excited about this group of premier professional educators,” said Alex Weddington, chairman of the MCC Board of Trustees in a news release. “I think our search committee did a fantastic job of narrowing the field from a start of 61 applicants to 10 semifinalists and finally to four finalists who we will invite for on-campus interviews.”

Weddington said each of the four finalists have experience and a track record of success in helping to build quality programs at their respective colleges.

“We are confident that any of these four gentleman would be successful as a community college president,” Weddington said.

Weddington said that the MCC Board of Directors intends to begin interviews on campus this month and name a new president by June. No set timetable has been determined for campus interviews. He also said the board could also interview additional candidates.

“Our duty is to identify the very best leader we can for MCC,” Weddington said. “In that respect, the Board will conduct this search until such time we are satisfied we have found that person and reserves the right to interview additional candidates at its discretion. At this juncture, the Board is more focused on the outcome than the specific timeline.”