Acting President Named for College

Winning out over two on-campus candidates, a top administrator at Ventura College was appointed by the county’s community college chancellor to temporarily head Oxnard College until a permanent president is hired.

Ruth Hemming, formerly vice president of administrative services at Ventura College, immediately assumed the role of acting president of Oxnard College, meeting Thursday afternoon with Chancellor Philip Westin to discuss priorities for the 5,500-student college.

Hemming replaces Elise Schneider, who left the college last week to assume a new position at the district headquarters as a recruiter of foreign students.

“It is an opportunity and a challenge,” said Hemming, who spent 17 years at Oxnard College as a teacher, dean and vice president of instruction and student services. “I feel I know the college well, so I feel I can do some good there.”

Hemming, who said she plans to also be a candidate for the permanent president’s post, said she will make boosting enrollment and helping establish a new dental hygiene program at the college her top priorities.

She was chosen over Ron Jackson, Oxnard College’s vice president of student services; Irene Pinkard, the college’s vice president of administrative services, and Rene Rodriguez, Moorpark College’s dean of instructional services.

Before joining Oxnard College in 1975, Hemming worked 11 years at Ventura College as a journalism instructor. After 17 years at Oxnard, she returned to Ventura College in 1992 as vice president of administrative services.

Gary Morgan, president of Oxnard College’s faculty association, said Hemming’s long service at Oxnard will serve her well.

“I have no doubt that she will hit the ground running,” he said. “I know that she will work very hard to work well with all the constituencies to build morale and enthusiasm and to work for growth.”