The Colby Community College Board of Trustees is hosting a public reception for Dr. Stephen Vacik on Tuesday, Sept. 27.

Everyone is invited to the reception which will begin at 4 p.m. in the Robert Burnett Memorial Student Union, room 108.

Following an extensive nationwide search to fill the school’s top job, Dr. Vacik began his duties as the fifth President of the college on April 18, 2011.

Dr. Vacik was Vice-President of Academic Affairs at East Mississippi Community College in Mayhew, Miss. for three years. He was responsible for all college credit instructional programs, both academic and career-technical, adult basic education, distance learning counseling centers and libraries at the college’s three campuses.

Prior to accepting the Vice President’s job, Dr. Vacik was Dean of Academics at the Golden Triangle Campus of East Mississippi Community College from 2004-08 and Associate Dean of Allied Technology at Bevill State Community College at Fayette, Ala. from 2003-04.

Dr. Vacik received his undergraduate degree in English with a minor in history from the University of Alabama in 1991. He earned his master’s degree in history from the University of Alabama in 1995 and his doctoral degree in higher education administration from the University of Alabama in 1997.

Born in Fargo, N.D., Dr. Vacik grew up in Alabama. His wife Candace is a native of Mobile, Ala. They have two sons. Walter is a sophomore at Colby High School and Michael is in 7th grade at Colby Middle School.