News Release

All Campuses

Dr. Mary E. Retterer Accepts Position of Interim President of Cerro Coso

Ridgecrest, CA – June 13, 2006

Dr. Mary E. Retterer
Interim President

Kern Community College District, Chancellor Sandra Serrano was pleased to announce today the appointment of Dr. Mary Retterer as the Interim President of Cerro Coso Community College. The Kern Community College District Board of Trustees approved the appointment at the June 8th Board Meeting. Dr. Retterer will join the College effective Monday, June 19, 2006. "Dr. Retterer is a dynamic, innovative leader who has a wealth of experience in addressing the myriad of challenges facing community colleges. She is experienced with the California, Arizona, and Minnesota Community College Systems, including leading colleges with satellite centers in rural areas. She also has experience with serving the educational needs of the military. We look forward to her experience in serving the needs of Cerro Coso's four county service area," stated Chancellor Serrano.

Retterer served as the Superintendent/President of Shasta-Tehama-Trinity Joint Community College District, in Redding from June 2004 to June 2006. Prior to that Retterer served as the President of Pima Community College-East Campus, Tucson, Arizona, from August 1998 to June 2004. Before that she served in a variety of positions that were part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, including President of Ridgewater College in Willmar and Hutchison, Minnesota. She also served as Interim Regional President, Arrowhead Community Colleges; Interim President Minneapolis Community College; and others.

Retterer has many years of teaching experience, having taught at San Bernardino Valley College, 1987-1993; the University of Texas at Austin in 1992; Crafton Hills College, 1981-1987; and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, 1980-1981.

Retterer earned an Associate of Arts Degree from Crafton Hills College, California; a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Administration, with a concentration in accounting, and a Master of Business Administration, with a concentration in accounting from the California State University, San Bernardino; and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Administration, Community College Leadership Program, University of Texas at Austin.

"I am excited to be joining a solid institution with excellent faculty and staff," said Dr. Retterer. "I am looking forward to working with the Chancellor and board to move the College forward in meeting the needs of the different communities of Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, South Kern, Kern River Valley and the Indian Wells Valley," Retterer continued.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Joann Handeland, Director of Facilities Development and Public Information (760) 384-6230