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College Presidential Finalists Selected

March 8, 2010

The Cerro Coso Community College Presidential Screening Committee has selected four finalists to become the next Cerro Coso College President. Current President, Dr. Mary Retterer announced late last year her retirement on

June 30, 2010. Retterer's professional career includes 34 years of experience in community college systems in California, Arizona, and Minnesota, 15 of these as a college president.

The finalists to become the next Cerro Coso Community College President are:

• Dr. Gaither Loewenstien, Vice President for Educational Services, Norco College, Norco, CA.
• Ms. Jill Board, Vice President of Student Services, Cerro Coso Community College, Ridgecrest, CA.
• Dr. Ron Kraft, President, Southern California University of Health Sciences, Whittier, CA.
• Dr. Joseph Olson, Vice President for Military, Community, and Economic Development, Copper Mountain College, Joshua Tree, CA.

The Presidential Screening Committee was chaired by Dr. James Walker, Community College Search Services. The President's position has been recruited for extensively and advertised nationally. Initial interviews were completed over a three day period the week of February 22 and the names of the four finalists have been forwarded to the Kern Community College District Chancellor and Board of Trustees.

Open Presidential Forums for the finalists are scheduled for March 18 from 12 noon to 4:45 p.m. in Room 604 in the Learning Resource Center at Cerro Coso Community College, Ridgecrest. Each finalist will be given an opportunity to discuss their preparation for the position, their education and leadership philosophy, concluding with time to respond to questions from forum attendees. Attendees will be given the opportunity to complete a comment card that will be given to the Kern Community College District Board of Trustees. The forums will be open to the public.

The schedule for the candidate forums is as follows:

Candidates Forum Schedule Cerro Coso Community College (LRC-604), Thursday, March 18, 2010

Dr. Gaither Loewenstein: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Ms. Jill Board: 1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Dr. Ron Kraft: 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Dr. Joe Olsen: 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Finalist Profiles

Dr. Gaither Loewenstien
Education:

• Ph.D. in Urban Affairs, University of Delaware, Newark, DE (1983)
• Master degree in Urban Affairs, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS (1980)
• B.S. in Public Administration, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA (1979)

Professional Experience:

• Vice President, Educational Services, Norco College, Norco, CA (2006 to present)
• Dean, Social Sciences and Arts, College of the Desert, Palm Desert, CA (2005-2006)
• Vice President, Academic and Student Success, Barstow Community College, Barstow, CA (2002-2005)
• Dean of Instruction, Mendocino College, Ukiah, CA (1999-2002)
• Professor and Head, Social and Behavioral Sciences Division, Holy Family College, Philadelphia, PA (1998-1999)
• Dean of Instruction, Humphreys College, Stockton, CA (1994-1998)
• Planning Director, City of Escalon, Escalon, CA (1993-1995)
• Senior Planner, Neal Martin & Associates, San Carlos, CA (1989-1993)
• Advance Planner, San Joaquin County, Stockton, CA (1988-1989)
• Assistant Professor of Political Science/Assistant Director, Center for Urban and Public Affairs, Wright State University, Dayton, OH (1986-1988)
• Assistant Professor of Government, Lamar University, TX (1983-1986)

Ms. Jill Board
Education:

• Masters degree in Counseling, California State University-San Bernardino – CA (1992)
• B.A. in Music Education, Pacific Lutheran University, Parkland, WA (1979)

Professional Experience:

• Vice President, Student Services, Cerro Coso Community College, Ridgecrest, CA (2004 to present)
• Dean, Student Services, Cerro Coso Community College, Ridgecrest, CA (2003-2004)
• Dean, Student Learning, Cerro Coso Community College, Ridgecrest, CA (1999-2003)
• Director, Admissions & Records, Matriculation, & Student Activities, Cerro Coso Community College, Ridgecrest, CA (1996-1999)
• Counselor/Coordinator, Special Services, Cerro Coso Community College, Ridgecrest, CA (1989-1996)
• Instructor, Music: Sierra Sands Unified School District, CA; Hillsboro Elementary School District, OR; Gresham Unified School District, OR; Apple Valley School District, WA (1979-1989)

Dr. Ron Kraft
Education:

• Ph.D. in Philosophy, Capella University, Minneapolis, MN (2005)
• Masters degree in Arts, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA (1979)
• B.S. in Business, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA (1974)
• A.A., Grossmont Community College, El Cajon, CA (1972)

Professional Experience:

• Educational Consultant, Mt. Hood Community College, Gresham, OR (2009 to present)
• President and CEO, Southern California University of Health Sciences, Whittier, CA (2007-2009)
• President and CEO, Washington State Community & Technical Colleges Alliance for Corporate Education, Bellevue, WA (2004-2007)
• Special Assistant to the President/Vice President, Institutional Advancement, Lord Fairfax Community College, Middletown, VA (2003-2004)
• Managing Partner, The Resource Group, LLC San Diego, CA (2000-2003)
• Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Credit Union Leasing of America, San Diego, CA (1996-1998)
• Director, Outreach/Community Programs, Southwestern Community College, Chula Vista, CA (1992-1996)
• Department Chair, Business Division, Southwestern Community College, Chula Vista, CA (1990-1992)
• Professor, Southwestern Community College, Chula Vista, CA (1988-1996)
• Adjunct Professor, Business Management/entrepreneurship, Southwestern Community College, Chula Vista, CA (1983-1988)
• Adjunct Professor, Business and Management, Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community Colleges, El Cajon, CA (1980-1983)
• Public School Teacher, Grossmont Union District, CA (1975-1988)
• Governing Board Member & President, Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, El Cajon, Ca (1992-2004)

Dr. Joe Olson
Education:

• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN (1995)
• Masters degree in Counseling Psychology, Suffolk University, Boston, MA (1977)
• B.S. in Crime and Delinquency, Suffolk University, Boston, MA (1976)

Professional Experience:

• Vice President, Military, Community and Economic Development, Copper Mountain Community College, Joshua Tree, CA (2009 to present)
• Vice President, Finance and Administration, Copper Mountain Community College, Joshua Tree, CA (2007-2009)
• Government Relations Liaison/Acting Dean for Student Services, Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles, CA (2006-2007)
• President, Jefferson Community College, Watertown, NY (2003-2006)
• Vice President, Student & Administrative Services, Adirondack Community College, Queensbury, NY (1998-2003)
• Dean, Student Services, Adirondack Community College, Queensbury, NY (1997-1998)
• Assistant to the President, Catawba Valley Community College, Hickory, NC (1996-1997)
• Dean of Student Services, Catawba Valley Community College, Hickory, NC (1994-1996)
• Interim Vice President, Academic Affairs and Dean for Continuing Education, Lamar University-Orange, Orange, TX (1993-1994)
• Dean, Continuing Education & Community Services, Lamar University-Orange, Orange, TX (1991-1994)
• Director, Special Services, Career Center Coordinator, Acting Division Chair, Northeast State Technical Community College, Blountville, TN (1987-1991))
• Intensive Supervision Program Officer, Tennessee Department of Correction, Johnson City, TN (1986-1987)
• Psychologist, Florida Department of Correction, Seminole, FL (1984-1986)
• Manager/Owner, Horse "N" Carriage Restaurant, Norfolk, MA (1982-1984)
• Staff Associate, Division of Continuing Education, North Shore Community College, Beverly, MA (1980-1981)
• Vocational Counselor, Business Advisor, Medford High School, Medford, MA (1979-1980)
• Officer-in-Charge, Counselor, Massachusetts Department of Correction, Boston, MA (1974-1978)
  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Natalie Dorrell, Public Information (760) 384-6260