State Fair Community College announces finalists in presidential search

Published 6:31 pm Wednesday, October 21, 2026

State Fair Community College announced four finalists for its next president Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Finalists include Jess Kelly, Jose da Silva, Cliff Davis and Caron Daugherty. All four are external candidates, two of whom have professional ties to Missouri. Each of the candidates will visit Sedalia between Monday, Oct. 26 and Thursday, Oct. 29. Open forums will be held at 11 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. each day in the Stauffacher Theatre.

Kelly, who will visit Monday, serves as executive director of online teaching and learning for the Lone Star College System in Texas. He holds a doctorate in biology from Baylor University; a master’s degree in limnology and applied multivariate statistics and a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Stephen F. Austin State University; and an associate degree in natural sciences, chemistry and mathematics from Tyler Junior College.

Da Silva, who will visit Tuesday, is vice president for strategic enrollment management and student success at Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis, Tennessee. He holds a doctorate in higher education administration and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Florida State University, as well as an associate degree from Tallahassee Community College.

Davis, who will visit Wednesday, serves as president of the Richwood Valley Campus at Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield. He holds a doctorate in instructional leadership and higher education administration from Lindenwood University and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in communication from Missouri State University.

Daughtery is president of Flint Hills Technical College in Emporia, Kansas, but previously served as vice chancellor of instruction and chief academic officer at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri, a master’s degree in English and a bachelor’s degree in English and professional writing from Missouri State University.

SFCC is working to fill the shoes of Brent Bates, who is retiring after nearly 40 years in higher education effective Dec. 31.

The forums are open to the public and will also be available online at sfccmo.edu/presidential-search. Questions can be submitted in advance at sfccmo.edu/presidential-search.

The candidates will also be available during a social hour at 7 p.m. each day in the Thompson Conference Center.