LUMBERTON — The Robeson Community College board of tustees on Wednesday agreed on its choice to be the next president of the college, according to a source close to the presidential search, but that name has not been made public.

The new president will replace Charles Chrestman, who is retiring after serving as RCC president for more than a decade.

George Regan, chairman of the board, did not immediately return calls from The Robesonian on Wednesday.

Regan told The Robesonian earlier this month that the local trustees would prioritize and send the names of at least three finalists to the state for its review and approval. The list of names, Regan said, would be forwarded to Scott Ralls, president of the North Carolina Community College System. Ralls in turn will forward the names to the state community college board for its approval when the state board meets on Feb. 14 and Feb. 15.

Finalists for the position were recently interviewed by RCC trustees, one each day over a six-day period. The last interview was held Tuesday.

The six finalists were:

— Mark Kinlaw, RCC’s current vice president for instruction and support services/chief academic officer.

— Ralph Soney, former president of Roanoke-Chowan Community College.

— Pamela Hilbert, vice president of academic affairs at Pitt Community College.

— Richard Gough, executive vice president at Sandhills Community College.

— Kristi Snuggs, vice president of instruction at Edgecombe Community College.

— Roslyn Artis, former executive vice president/chief academic officer at Mountain State University.

Originally there were 37 applicants for the president’s position, but 13 did not meet the minimum requirement for the job — a doctorate from an accredited institution, and at least of five years of senior-level community college leadership. Regan told The Robesonian last month that applications came from all across the country, even Canada.