Andre Fuller / Roundup
Kathleen Burke-Kelly, 56, has been selected by the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Board of Trustees to be the next Pierce College president.
The announcement was made at a LACCD board meeting at West Los Angeles Community College this afternoon.
The current Vice President of Academic Affairs at Trade Tech College, Burke-Kelly, found out the news late last night.
“I am really excited to have the opportunity,” said Burke-Kelly. “And really thrilled to be a part of Pierce College, because it’s a fine institution.”
“Now I can text my children,” said Burke-Kelly, during the LACCD board meeting today. “I have had their support during this process.”
She has a daughter and son. They attend the University of California, San Diego and Pasadena Community College, respectively.
The new Pierce president is familiar with community colleges, not only as a member of an administration, but as a student as well.
She graduated from: Glendale Community College with an associates’ degree in Humanities, the University of California, Irvine with bachelors’ degrees in Student Art and Art History, California State University, Northridge with a masters’ degree in Art History and Pepperdine University with a doctoral degree in education.
According to Burke-Kelly, she taught art history at Glendale for 20 years.
Burke-Kelly’s main agenda for the success of Pierce College is making sure the students achieve all of their goals.
“I want to bring more awards, degrees and certificates to Pierce College,” said Burke-Kelly. “Whatever we need to do to assist students.”
Former Interim President Joy McCaslin has a lot respect for Burke-Kelly. Having worked with her on the Student Success Initiative, McCaslin wished Burke-Kelly the best of luck.
“She needs to get to know the community,” said McCaslin about advice that she would give to Burke-Kelly. “We have very engaged community members outside of Pierce College. It is important for her to get to know them.
Interim Chancellor of the LACCD since August 2009, Tyree Wieder hopes the new Pierce College president can be apart of the Woodland Hills community for years to come.
“I’m very hopeful Dr. Kathy Burke-Kelly will be at Pierce for a substantial time,” said Wieder. “Pierce deserves to have some longevity.”
Burke-Kelly will officially take office on August 1, 2010.
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(Photo Courtesy of the Los Angeles Community College District)
