Bruce Smith is recommended for a position based on his strong performance over the last two years at Alexandria Technical College. He effectively managed marketing and admissions during a period of leadership changes. Bruce also engaged in restructuring student services and demonstrated an understanding of business management and planning. The recommendation letter concludes that Bruce should be considered a top candidate for his educational leadership skills and combination of business, public, and higher education experience.

1. September 19, 2004
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am writing this recommendation to support the candidacy of Bruce Smith. The
recommendation comes out of my experiences in working with Bruce over the last two years
here at Alexandria Technical College. As a member of the search team that recruited Bruce to
this college, I also have had the experience of looking at his past work experience and goals for
the future.
Bruce came to Alexandria Technical College in the wake of the college losing a marketing
director to industry promotion and a student services coordinator that took a leave of absence to
serve as Interim President for another college here in Minnesota. The College expectations of
Bruce were to fill the gap from the loss of two highly successful long term leaders by bringing
continued innovation and disciplined process management to the marketing and admissions
functions of the college. He has done that despite serving three presidents over a two year time
frame; a situation that none of us expected when Bruce was hired.
In addition to effectively managing the marketing and admissions functions of the college, Bruce
has been actively engaged in the restructure of student services for the future. His interaction
with counseling and testing, placement, international students, financial aid, and student life
highlighted his understanding of business management and planning. Bruce’s experiences
provide him with a strong understanding of college student services in the broad perspective.
In summary, I recommend that you strongly consider Bruce as a top candidate to fill this
position. His goals are to continue in an advanced position of educational leadership. He brings
a unique combination of business and public experience along with his understanding of higher
education. I do not hesitate to project that his leadership will effectively prepare students and a
select college or university for the coming demands of higher education.
Sincerely,
Jan Doebbert, Ed.D.
CIO/Dean of Technology
Alexandria Technical College