Countywide : OK Given for 2 New College Presidents

Ventura County Community College District officials granted final approval Tuesday to hire two Los Angeles area educators as the next presidents of Moorpark and Ventura colleges.

In a closed meeting, members of the district board of trustees decided to hire James W. Walker, the assistant superintendent of College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, to fill the top job at Moorpark College. Jesus (Jess) Carreon, vice president of instruction at El Camino College in Torrance, was selected to take over as president at Ventura College.

Both men said they were thrilled to accept the appointments, which begin in July.

“Ventura College has a super reputation,” Carreon said. “My job will be to do what I can to maintain that excellence.”

Walker said he plans to spend “a great deal of time getting to know the staff and students” at Moorpark College. “I want to know their concerns and issues.”

Both educators have experience working in community colleges throughout Southern California.

Carreon has served as the vice president for instruction at El Camino College since 1987. Before joining the college, he was director of instructional and vocational programs at San Bernardino Valley College.

Walker joined College of the Canyons in 1986 as an assistant superintendent and vice president, responsible for supervision of all instructional, student and community services.

At Tuesday night’s meeting, the trustees and district officials said goodby to fellow trustee Gregory Kampf of Oxnard, who resigned to move to Northern California. “You’ve provided a good model for me, I will certainly miss you,” said newly elected Trustee Allan Jacobs.