N.Y. Administrator Named Antelope Valley College President

Students at Antelope Valley College will begin the 1996-97 school year with a new president, authorities announced this week.

Dr. Linda Spink, currently vice president for instruction at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, N. Y., will assume the post on Aug. 30, said Steve Standerfer, spokesman for Antelope Valley College.

Spink, 50, will replace the current president, Dr. Allan Kurki, who is due to retire Aug. 29, Standerfer said.

Spink was chosen by the college Board of Trustees in a 4-0 vote during a closed meeting Monday night. Trustee Herman Kicenski was absent.

Spink’s experience includes a stint as associate dean for health science and technology at Massachusetts Bay Community College in Wellesley Hills, Mass.

Her education includes a doctorate in administration of higher education from Boston College, a master’s in psychiatry nursing from Boston University and a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University.

She was chosen following a nationwide search that began in December and found 53 applicants, college administrators said.

In April, the list was cut to three: Daniel Chachon, vice president of student services at Spokane Community College in Spokane, Wash.; Mary Spangler, vice president of academic affairs at Los Angeles City College, and Spink.

Trustees Don Ross and Earl Wilson spent last week visiting the campuses of the three finalists.

“The results [of the trip] I believe have been well worth it,” said Ross.