St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System has named an acting president for Rochester Community and Technical College. Joyce Helens, the current president of the St. Cloud Technical and Community College, will temporarily assume the leadership post at RCTC when current RCTC President Leslie McClellon’s recently announced resignation becomes effective on Saturday.

“As an experienced sitting president of a highly successful technical and community college, Joyce Helens is the ideal person to guide RCTC though this transition,” said Steven Rosenstone, chancellor of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. “She is a thoughtful and effective leader who works collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and community partners to get things done. Her deep experience means that she will be ready on day one to help RCTC prepare for the search and recruitment of its new, permanent president.”

McClellon accepted a new job with the MNSCU system amid a torrent of criticism about her leadership and decisions that led to calls for her removal from the position.

MNSCU Chancellor Steven Rosenstone has indicated he plans recommend Helens’ appointment as interim RCTC president during an upcoming meeting of the higher education system’s board of trustees.

He has also launched a search for McClellon’s permanent replacement and plans to make the appointment before the start of the 2016-2017 school year. Once that person is selected, Helens will return to her position in St. Cloud.

More From KROC-AM