IDAHO FALLS — The College of Eastern Idaho Board of Trustees has announced that it has selected four finalists for the presidency of CEI at Idaho Falls. It recruited a strong pool of candidates from throughout the state, region and nation.

The College of Eastern Idaho finalists are:

Rick Aman, Ph.D., is the Interim President of the College of Eastern Idaho, ID. Previously, he was the President of Eastern Idaho Technical College, ID. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Community College Leadership from Oregon State University, a Master of Business Administration from Golden Gate University, a Bachelor of Science in Education from Western Oregon State College, and an Associate of Science in Computer Applications from Mt. Hood Community College.

Ryan Carstens, Ed.D., is the Strategy and Special Projects Associate for the Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges. Previously, he was the President of Spokane Community College, WA. He earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Administration from the University of Texas, Austin; a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Oklahoma State University, and a Bachelor of Science in German from Oklahoma State University.

Anthony Paustain, Ph.D., is the Provost and Chief Administrative Officer at the Des Moines Area Community College – West Campus, IA. Previously, he was the President/Owner of the A.D. Paustian Design Group, Inc., IA. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Educational Psychology and Administration from the University of Iowa, a Master of Business Administration from Loyola University – Chicago, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Finance from Eastern New Mexico University, an Associate of Science in Management from Eastern New Mexico University, and an Associate of Applied Science in Aircraft Technology from the Community College of the Air Force.

Richard Pearce, Ph.D., is the Vice President for Learning and Student Success at Heartland Community College, IL. Previously, he was the Vice President for Learning and Student Development at Illinois Valley Community College, IL. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration and Foundations from Illinois State University, a Master of Arts in Asian History from Illinois State University, a Bachelor of Science in History and Social Science Education from Illinois State University, and an Associate of Arts in Secondary Education from Illinois Valley Community College.

Each presidential finalist will participate in an open forum. These forums are open to faculty, administrators, staff, students and the general public. There will be a brief introduction of each candidate followed by a question-and-answer session. Feedback forms will be given to all who attend. The completed forms will be collected at the end of each forum and given to the Board of Trustees for review.