(AP) — A Texas educator has been chosen to lead Southeast Community College in Nebraska.

The college says Dr. Paul Illich is vice president for research, planning and information technology at McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas. Illich was selected on Friday by the Southeast Community College Board of Governors. The board’s decision is tentative, pending a background check, negotiation of a contract and final approval of the contract by the board.

Illich would begin his new work on July 1, 2014, replacing President Jack Huck, who is retiring at the end of June 2014.

The district serves 15 counties in southeast Nebraska and has campuses in Beatrice, Lincoln and Milford.