LINCOLN – The Southeast Community College Board has approved a new contract with the school’s President and CEO, rolling the current agreement into a new five-year contract that extends through June, of 2030.


Dr. Paul Illich will receive a total compensation increase of 5.53-percent, similar to other college staff. This coming year, his salary will be $352,752.


An Executive Compensation team of the SCC board made the recommendation, which was approved by the board Tuesday, at the Lincoln Campus.  Chairman of the five-member team, Neal Stenberg said several factors, including overall performance, led to the recommendation…along with a number of achievements reached by SCC.


"Amazing improvements to the facilities of this college...in turn, has resulted in significant improvements in our enrollment. Our enrollment has gone up substantially. That's not been true for most post-secondary educational institutions. And, that means we are doing a better job of serving the needs of business and industry and serving the needs of students in the SCC area."


The increased enrollment has a direct impact of more state funding through a new funding model which annually grants a 3.5-percent hike in community college futures fund support….but increases when there is increased enrollment. Stenberg said another factor in the contract was Ilich’s national profile.


"Dr. Illich has developed a rather significant national profile which was evidenced by the many national and regional awards that he's received. I believe you're familiar with those...I'm not going to go in to list them here. Those awards are significant in that they serve as an independent confirmation of the outstanding work that Dr. Illich is doing....and is also an indication of his probable value in the national market...which is something I think we need to be cognizant, of."


Illich will continue to be the second-highest compensated community college CEO in Nebraska. Given the size of the school, Stenberg said Illich manages a much more complex educational system than most other community colleges in the state.


The board unanimously approved the CEO contract.