FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Coastline College Gets Interim Head

Judith Valles, who was president of Golden West College in Huntington Beach from 1988 until retiring June 30, will serve as interim head of Coastline Community College, it was announced Thursday.

Coastline, which is based in Fountain Valley, is seeking a president to succeed William M. Vega. Vega was appointed chancellor of Coast Community College District on Oct. 4 and assumed his new duties this week.

Coast Community College District trustees govern Coastline, Golden West and Orange Coast community colleges.

The trustees announced Thursday that they have contracted with Valles to serve as a consultant to the chancellor. Her special duties as consultant will be to be acting head of Coastline Community College. Valles will not be called “acting president,” said Ann Garten, a spokeswoman for the district.

Valles “will be the head of the college, but her title is consultant to the chancellor,” said Garten. Garten added that in most respects, Valles’ responsibilities will be similar to that of an acting college president.

Garten said employees and faculty at Coastline “will report to her just as they reported to Dr. Vega” when he was president.

Valles assumes her interim job on Nov. 15. Garten said Valles will be paid $350 per day, four days a week, until a new president is chosen, but no later than June 30, 1994.

After her retirement from Golden West College in June, Valles moved to San Bernardino. She recently was elected to the San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees.

“Judith will provide immediate leadership to Coastline,” said Paul G. Berger, president of the Coast Community College District Board of Trustees. “Because of her skill and expertise, she will provide continuity during the search for a permanent president.”