Cypress : Cypress College Head to Take Pasadena Post

Jack Scott, president of Cypress College since 1978, will become the new superintendent-president of Pasadena City College, effective July 1, it was announced Friday.

Scott, 53, will be chief executive officer of the Pasadena Area Community College District and report to the board of trustees. Scott will succeed John W. Casey, who plans to retire this summer.

“Jack is going to make Pasadena a fine superintendent-president,” said James Kellerman, chancellor of the North Orange County Community College District, which governs Cypress and Fullerton community colleges. “We’re going to miss Jack. He’s an outstanding individual who’s done a very good job, but I can understand his wanting to move up.”

“I have regrets about leaving Cypress College, but this is an unusually good opportunity,” Scott said Friday. “Cypress College has great people and a wonderful campus, and I have many fine memories.”

Scott’s salary is still to be negotiated by the board, district officials said Friday. Casey’s salary is $83,000. Scott currently makes $75,000 as president of Cypress College.

Scott and his wife have five children and five grandchildren. He said he will continue to live in Costa Mesa.

Before coming to Cypress College, Scott was dean of instruction at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa. A native of Texas, Scott received a bachelor’s degree from Abilene Christian College; a master’s degree from Yale University and a doctorate from Claremont Graduate School.