The man who finished second in last year’s search for president at Lake Michigan College might be the right person for the job after all.

On Tuesday, the community college’s board of trustees announced that it is interested in taking a closer look at Robert Spohr for filling the position vacated when the board fired Jennifer Spielvogel after just fourth months on the job. Spohr currently serves as vice president for student and academic affairs at Montcalm Community College.

Board Vice President Michael Lindley said Spohr finished a “very close” second to Spielvogel, who was ousted from her position May 5 after board members determined she allegedly made unapproved and unauthorized expenses to the college, violated multiple board policies and behaved improperly.

Spohr told the board he was still interested in the job at the board’s previous meeting May 16. During that meeting, he gave an update on his qualifications and what he has been doing since the conclusion of the previous president search last winter. At the end of that meeting, the board announced it would make a determination as to whether or not it was interested in Spohr by Tuesday’s meeting.

Board President Mary Jo Tomasini and Debra Johnson were absent from Tuesday’s meeting, which was held at the Bertrand Crossing Campus in Niles. Lindley said those in attendance indicated they wanted to take a closer look at Spohr, including doing additional vetting and evaluation processes.

While Lindley said the board would not rush the search, he anticipates the board will make a decision about Spohr by the next board meeting June 28.

“If that does not pan out then we will consider our next option,” he said.

Former LMC President Robert Harrison is serving as interim president until the new president is found. Harrison retired at the end of 2015 after 16 years with the college.

Also Tuesday, the board received an update from LMC Bertrand Crossing Campus Dean Barbara Craig on the progress of the campus’ early college programs, which allow students to take college-level classes at no cost while still in high school.

Craig said 63 students have earned 319 credits since 2013 using the LMC at Brandywine manufacturing training program.

A former LMC at Brandywine student said the program helped him earn an apprenticeship at a local manufacturing facility and two current students said the program helped them get co-op jobs at a local manufacturing facility.

Craig also highlighted the Bertrand Crossing Campus’ Early College Academy program, which provides advanced dual-enrollment options for high school students. Since 2010, Craig said 187 students have progressed through the academy with at least 15 earning an associate’s degree.

One former Early College Academy student estimates the program saved her approximately $40,000 in credit hour expenses while pursuing her bachelor’s degree.

Other former students said the experience helped prepare them for the rigors of college work, taught them time management skills and sped up their progress toward earning a bachelor’s degree.