The Lone Star College System has named Rebecca Riley interim president of the Montgomery campus to replace Austin Lane, who was recently promoted to LSC executive vice chancellor.

Riley stepped into the role Jan. 15 and is managing the campus during the transition period between presidents.

During her time as interim president Riley will manage ongoing projects, such as the planned general education center in Magnolia, that stem from the passage of a $485 million bond initiative that was voters approved Nov. 5.

In her first days as interim president, Riley began initial meetings regarding the development of the Magnolia Center.

Additionally, Riley will also be charged with maintaining operations and public relations during the transition period.

"There has been a lot of turnover within this college in general with some of the vice presidents and, of course, the president position," Riley said. "A lot of folks are doing double duty and working very hard to make sure our instructional quality and our community partnerships stay very strong."

Meanwhile, the LSCS is soliciting candidates for the permanent Montgomery campus president position and will interview finalists in late March, Chancellor Steve Head said.

Because of the ongoing bond election projects, the system is looking for an administrator who understands financial management and has higher education experience, he said.

"We are looking for someone who has administrative experience in higher education, preferably in community college," Head said. "We want somebody who can demonstrate a knowledge in finance—they need to know how to do budgets. We want somebody who knows construction because we have $40 million in [planned] construction in Montgomery and the Magnolia Center."

The LSC–Montgomery president will oversee operations of the 13,000-student campus, as well as participate in management of the college system, Head said.