New Cypress College Chief to Be Chosen

Kirk Avery, superintendent-president of the Palo Verde Community College District in Blythe, will be recommended tonight as new president of Cypress College, authorities said Monday.

The recommendation, to be made by Chancellor James Kellerman, is expected to be voted on tonight by the seven-member board of trustees of the North Orange County Community College District. That district governs both Cypress and Fullerton community colleges.

If Avery is approved, he would fill the vacancy created when former Cypress College President Jack Scott resigned in June to become the superintendent-president of Pasadena City College.

Avery is being recommended after a national search, which narrowed down to three finalists in recent weeks, according to Donna Hatchett, director of communication for the district. Hatchett confirmed Avery’s identity after word that he would be recommended leaked out on the Cypress campus.

Cypress College has an enrollment of about 13,500 students.

Avery, 43, has been superintendent-president of Palo Verde Community College District since 1983. He was a business services instructor at Santa Rosa College in 1982-83 and dean of business services at Lake Tahoe Community College District in 1977-82. He was also an associate professor in the business division at Cerritos College in 1975-77. Before that, he worked in private business, Hatchett said.

Avery earned his doctorate and master’s degrees, both in public administration, from the USC. He holds another master’s degree, in business administration, from the University of Missouri. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University in New York.

Avery is a native of Utica, N.Y.

Hatchett said if Avery is approved as the new president, the district board of trustees will set his salary and length of employment as part of a contract.