College District Names Chancellor : Education: Trustees end search to replace James S. Kellerman, who was fired amid financial misconduct allegations.

After a six-month nationwide search, the North Orange County Community College District trustees named a new chancellor Friday to replace James S. Kellerman, who was fired from that position last May amid allegations of financial misconduct.

Tom K. Harris Jr., currently superintendent and president of the Merced Community College District, was chosen from a field of more than 50 applicants.

“I’m very proud to have been chosen as the chancellor,” Harris said from Merced in a telephone interview. “I understand that there was dissatisfaction (with Kellerman) and that some healing needs to take place.”

Harris assumes the job Feb. 1, and will earn $99,500.

Kellerman was fired after an internal investigation into alleged wrongdoing, including charges that he borrowed from a district travel account without authorization and sought personal loans from top district employees.

The Orange County district attorney’s office is investigating Kellerman’s actions.

The trustees said they hope that with Harris’ selection, the district will be able to put an ugly episode behind it and get on with the job of educating college students.

“We had unrest because of the last chancellor, there’s no denying that. . . . But I think Harris has the qualities that we were looking for. He brought a very good atmosphere to (his current) campus and community and that really impressed me,” said Otto J. Lacayo, a member of the Board of Trustees and former president.

It is not the first time Harris is entering an office vacated under murky circumstances.

At Merced he was hired to replace a superintendent/president who was dismissed for fiscal misconduct and eventually did some time in jail, Harris said.

“I guess I have some experience in that regard,” he said.

Harris said the first thing he plans to do as chancellor is “sit down and talk to the people to get to know them and get their opinions on things.”

Looking ahead, Harris said adding a third college to the district will be a priority in the next decade.

Enrollment at the district is 13,257 students at Fullerton College, 20,222 at Cypress College and 37,637 in adult education classes.

“We’re going to need more instructional sites to handle the needs. . . . A new campus is a given,” Harris said.

Instructors at Merced Community College said Harris is well-liked and an effective leader. “We’ll be sorry to see him go,” said Marie Crookham, a dental assistant instructor and member of the Academic Senate. Before his position at Merced, which he held for 5 1/2 years, Harris was vice president of academic affairs for six years at Long Beach City College, where he also served as instructor, counselor and dean.

He holds a doctorate in higher education and a master’s in education administration from USC. He received his bachelor’s in psychology from San Jose State University.