Local News in Brief : Costa Mesa : Retired OCC Dean Accepts New Post

John R. McGill, who retired earlier this month as the dean of admissions, records and information services at Orange Coast College, has accepted a major administrative post with the Washington-based American Assn. of Community and Junior Colleges.

Effective July 1, McGill, 59, will become executive assistant to Dale Parnell, the president of the association. McGill’s duties will include directing a new AACJC program entitled “Building Communities: A Vision for a New Century.” The national association said the new program being launched under McGill is designed to renew an “inspired sense of purpose” in two-year colleges.

McGill joined Orange Coast College’s faculty in 1966 as a history and geography instructor. He was later named assistant dean of admissions and records and dean of the evening college. McGill also worked as director of the Coast Community College District’s Development Office.

After holding several posts at Coastline Community College, based in Fountain Valley, McGill returned to Orange Coast College as executive dean for educational affairs in 1984. Two years later he became dean of admissions, records and information services.

McGill, a native of Ottawa, Ill., holds a doctorate from UCLA. In addition to his academic career, McGill logged a total of 30 years of military service in the Army, Air Force and Navy Reserve.