Meetings Planned as College Seeks Leader

A Ventura County Community College District consultant has planned a series of meetings with the staff and students at Oxnard College to determine what challenges await the campus’ next president.

Consultant Al Fernandez will host five meetings between Wednesday and Friday, an effort to give managers, faculty, students, classified staff and community members a chance to participate in the search for a permanent president.

The college’s interim president is Judith Valles. Trustees say they want to see a permanent president in place by early next year.

Earlier this summer, the board passed over several finalists for the vacant position, voting to throw out the crop of candidates altogether and begin the search anew.

That decision angered a host of Oxnard College professors, many of whom supported Ruth Hemming, who had served as interim Oxnard College president since former President Elise D. Schneider was given a contract to serve as district provost. Valles took over after Hemming.

Community members are invited to meet with Fernandez at 5 p.m. Thursday in classroom OE-10 on the Oxnard College campus, 4000 S. Rose Ave. For more information, call 986-5808.