Acting President Is Named for College

Judith Valles, retired president of Golden West College in Huntington Beach, has been appointed acting president of Oxnard College, district Chancellor Philip Westin announced Thursday. The appointment becomes effective July 29.

Valles will be paid $8,500 per month, Westin said. “I am pleased that Judith Valles is available to assume leadership responsibility for Oxnard College during this interim period,” Westin said.

Valles served as president at Golden West College from 1988 to 1993, and was succeeded in that job by Westin. Westin left Golden West to take over the Ventura County district last year.

Valles brings a “global perspective to community college education” and is well-suited to lead the college in the next phase of its growth and program development, Westin said.

Former Oxnard College President Elise Schneider resigned to head up the college’s international student program. Westin then attempted to appoint a replacement from within the college district, but on Tuesday the district board of trustees directed him to look outside.

In addition, the trustees voted to initiate a search process for a permanent president. Westin was directed to hire a professional firm to conduct a nationwide search for a permanent appointment, to take office by early next year.

Valles will serve as president until a permanent replacement is named, and Westin does not expect that person to be Valles. “She will not be an applicant for the position,” he said.

“Judith has done a number of these things,” Westin said. “She’s a retired administrator. She does not want to do this on a permanent basis.”