President Kathleen Burke will serve as the Interim Deputy Chancellor beginning Monday, May 21 through June 30, according to an email from LACCD Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez.
Burke wrote in an email that she does not know who will be the next president of Pierce College.
“Nor will I be involved in that process,” Burke wrote in the email. “I believe that Chancellor Rodriguez will conduct an internal search first for an interim president to take the helm on July 1.”
Vice President of Academic Affairs Sheri Berger will serve as acting president until an interim president is selected.
“What does that mean for Pierce College? We keep doing the good work that we are doing. [Burke has] given us vision and leadership and put us on a direction, and we will stay on that direction,” Berger said. “We keep doing the things that we need to do to help our students and meet the needs of our community.”
According to Rodriguez’s email, internal candidates will be evaluated first, and then the district will begin looking at external applicants.
“I fully expect the interim president to be identified on or before July 1, 2018,” Rodriguez wrote. “The search for a permanent president is expected to launch in the late summer, with an expected start date of on or about January 1, 2019.”
Dean of Academic Affairs Tom Vessella will serve as the acting Vice President and Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and Amari William will serve as acting Accreditation Liaison Officer starting Monday, according to an email from Berger.
“I wish Dr. Burke great success as she moves into the role of Interim Deputy Chancellor and then as Chancellor of the South Orange County Community College District (SOCCD),” Berger wrote. “Her dedication to students and education in general will be missed.”
Story will be updated as more information becomes available.