LUMBERTON — Robeson Community College’s board of trustees has narrowed the list of candidates from 12 to six in its search for a new president, action it took during a meeting on Tuesday.

George Regan, chairman of the board, said he could not discuss the candidates in any detail.

According to Regan, the trustees will hold in-person interviews with all remaining candidates by the end of January. The trustees will then forward names to Scott Ralls, president of the North Carolina Community College System, for his presentation to the state board.

“The law is that we can submit up to five names to the state board,” Regan told The Robesonian recently. “The decision on who is selected for president is made by the college trustees. All the state board does is grant final approval to our decision.”

There were 37 applicants for the presidential slot, but 13 did not meet the minimum requirement for the position — a doctorate from an accredited institution, and a minimum of five years of senior-level community college leadership.

According to Regan, applications came from all across the continent, stretching as far as British Columbia, Canada.

“I think it’s been a time consuming thing rather than a difficult thing,” Regan said. “We’ve reviewed a lot of folders and DVD’s and now we’re getting to the end. The candidates so far have been very notable.”

Charles Chrestman is nearing the end of a 10-year tenure as the college’s president.

“The college is in great shape,” Chrestman said. “We set a record for enrollment and the foundation is doing well. Our current staff is excellent and we are solid financially. Our audit came back clean, which was great. It’s a great time for the transition and I’m sure the college will give the community exactly what it needs.”

Chrestman, who began work at the college on Jan. 1, 2003, had planned to retire on Dec. 31, but he agreed to work until February to give the trustees time to get the new president in place.