List Narrowed to 3 for College President

The field of Pierce College presidential candidates has been narrowed to three, all from outside the Los Angeles Community College District.

Chancellor James Heinselman interviewed the finalists Tuesday and the board of trustees could name a replacement for former President E. Bing Inocencio today.

Darroch “Rocky” Young, a vice president at Santa Monica College, remains the leading candidate, according to several sources familiar with the search process.

Young has been credited with bringing in millions of dollars by increasing international student enrollment at the college. “He seems to be a moneymaker,” a district source said.

Chris O’Hearn, the vice president at Orange Coast College until his retirement two years ago, made the short list because of his experience and business connections. Although he was favored by the committee during the last search for a Pierce College president, O’Hearn was passed over in favor of Inocencio.

The third finalist, Frances White, an assistant vice chancellor at City College of San Francisco, is believed to have important contacts in Sacramento. Search committee members also said they were impressed with the speed with which she moved up the community college ranks.