Gratton Named President of OCC

Margaret A. Gratton has been named president of Orange Coast College, filling a position that has been vacant for more than a year.

Gratton said Thursday that she has been impressed by the faculty and staff of the college during several visits over the past three months and was thrilled to accept the appointment.

“The thing that really impressed me was the dedication to quality education on the campus,” she said. “They are really devoted to the learning process.”

Nancy A. Pollard, president of the Coast Community College Board of Trustees, said the board had been impressed with Gratton’s extensive administrative background and was confident she would be an outstanding leader for Orange Coast.

Gratton, who was appointed president Wednesday night, was a longtime faculty member at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Ore. She joined the faculty there in 1968 as a composition and literature instructor.

She became an administrator at the school in 1974 and held several posts, including dean of humanities and assistant to the president for staff and organizational development. She most recently served as dean of instruction.

Gratton will officially take the helm at OCC on Aug. 1.