NATCHEZ &8212; Two years after the Natchez campus of Copiah-Lincoln Community College lost its dean to a promotion, the search for a new one has started.

A screening committee is sifting through 11 applications for the position and plans to conduct interviews the week of March 20, said Ronnie Nettles, former Natchez dean and now Co-Lin executive vice president.

&8220;Now is the time people in this field are looking for opportunities,&8221; Nettles said. &8220;It was a good time for us to start looking for a new dean.&8221;

Nettles moved to the Wesson campus in July 2004. Since then Gwen McCalip has been serving as acting dean and continuing her work as director of admissions.

Originally McCalip was set to serve only one year as dean, but after the first year her time was extended. The college was starting a new campus in Simpson County, and it worked to have her continue as acting dean, she said.

&8220;It was never the plan that I would seek a permanent position,&8221; McCalip said. &8220;I was going to do it temporarily to help out the school anyway I could. I&8217;m passionate about this place.&8221;

McCalip said she will work with the screening committee, and has already seen the applications.

&8220;If their credentials are any indication, then whoever we choose is going to be very energetic and will take this school forward,&8221; she said.

Nettles said the college is looking for someone who can work in a diverse setting and handle a variety of tasks.

&8220;It&8217;s a wonderful opportunity for anybody,&8221; Nettles said. &8220;It gives someone an opportunity to work hands on with a variety of areas on campus.&8221;

The 11 applicants have a variety of backgrounds, he said, including community and junior colleges, secondary education and universities.

After interviews, the committee will make a recommendation that President Howell Garner will take to the college&8217;s board for approval.

Nettles said the school hopes to have a candidate by the April board meeting but doesn&8217;t have to.

&8220;There&8217;s no reason to rush this,&8221; he said. &8220;If we aren&8217;t ready, then we won&8217;t make (a recommendation).&8221;

McCalip will work solely as director of admissions and records once a new dean starts.

&8220;I&8217;m going back to my other job to do that more efficiently,&8221; she said. &8220;I&8217;m just really excited about the new dean. Everybody is ready for a permanent dean.&8221;