Long Beach : O’Neill to Retire as Head of City College on Jan. 30

Long Beach City College President Beverly O’Neill, who has headed the college since 1988, has announced plans to retire. O’Neill will continue to work at the two-campus community college through Jan. 30, or until a replacement is hired, she said.

College trustees will discuss later this month how to hire a new chief administrator, officials said.

“It will be difficult for me to leave, but the time is right,” O’Neill, 62, said this week. She said she plans to spend time with her family and may do some writing. “I’ve worked since I was 13 years old.”

O’Neill is the first woman to serve as president at the college. She came to the campus as a student, and received an associate of arts degree in music in 1950. She later returned to work as a voice instructor, and during her tenure at the college was the women’s adviser, dean of student affairs and vice president of student affairs.

O’Neill also founded the Continuing Education Center for Women, which offers women advice, classes on re-entering the workplace, personal counseling and support groups.