The next president of Salish Kootenai College in Pablo will be Robert DePoe III.

The college board of directors announced the decision Wednesday afternoon after a lengthy search process, according to a news release from the tribes. 

On Tuesday, DePoe and two other finalists — Steve Dupuis and Sandra Boham — were on campus for a public question-and-answer session that drew nearly 100 people.

“Salish Kootenai College proudly announces the new president for SKC will be Robert DePoe the third,” board chairman Jim Durglo said Wednesday. “The board and executive team are looking forward to a long, successful, and prosperous future for SKC under our new president.”

DePoe will succeed Luana Ross, who abruptly resigned as president in October.

Elaine Frank has been serving as interim president since Ross left.

DePoe will visit the campus throughout the summer.

DePoe, a tribal member who grew up in Ronan, holds a master’s degree in professional communication from Southern Utah University and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in sociology.

He is currently employed as an Indian self-determination specialist for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the Southern Paiute Agency, St. George, Utah.

Previous jobs include working as a trainer and program manager of the Western Community Policing Institute and as education director for the Paiute Indian tribe of Utah from 2003-10.

DePoe was appointed to the Governor’s Minority Student Success Working Committee in Utah, was an advisory member of Utah’s State Board of Education and served as chairman of the Coalition of Minorities Advisory Committee of the Utah State Board of Education.

In a letter of interest sent in during the application process, DePoe wrote:

“I understand the important and dynamic role tribal colleges play within our communities … Under my direction student achievement will always be top priority … I believe SKC is the heart of our community and under my direction SKC will be a place of unity.”