After a long exhaustive search, Lake Michigan College says they've reached the final stages of picking a new president.

 Since letting their president go in April, it's been 7 months without a new permanent leader at the helm.

Four finalists have been selected in the presidential search.

Dr. Trevor Kubatzke is Vice President of Student Services at Milwaukee Area Technical College.

Dr. Jon Mandrell is Vice President of Student Services at Sauk Valley community college in Illinois.

Dr. Orinthia Montague is Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer at Normandale Community College in Minnesota.

Dr. Rebekah Woods is the Provost of Jackson College in Jackson, Michigan.

They were chosen from a field of 92 applicants. The front runners were selected based on how they matched a search committee’s criteria on leadership, fiscal management, and collaboration with business, government and K-12 schools.

Sitting president Bob Harrison says they face some challenges with this job, especially when it comes to federal policy.

"It will be very interesting to watch the change in federal policy with a new president,” said Dr. Bob Harrison, president emeritus of Lake Michigan College.  ‘If you believe president- elect Trump and what he says, there will be some changes. And you can't change the K-12 system without directly affecting community colleges."

The sitting president says he's happy with the finalists.

"I'm very optimistic they've got the right caliber of individuals,” said Harrison.

The college expects to make their final pick in mid- January.