Rocky Young
“We are becoming the center for educational activities, intellectual dialogue and cultural experiences for the west San Fernando Valley. We’re trying to be an institution that meets the concerns of the total individual, not just one aspect.”
NAME: Rocky Young
AGE: 51
HOME: Newbury Park
PROFESSION: President of Pierce College; formerly vice president of planning and development at Santa Monica College.
LATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Helped to increase student enrollment 5% this fall over the previous year--after a 10% dip in June. Young, who drew national attention for some of Santa Monica College’s achievements, has also improved Pierce’s public image. In July, he announced that Pierce College sent a greater percentage of its students to California’s public universities in 1998 than any other community college in Southern California.
GOALS FOR 1999: Complete a master plan for the campus, which will include possible uses for the 200-acre Pierce College farm--a thorny issue for faculty, students and neighboring residents who balked at recent proposals to turn the land into a golf course. Build stronger relationships with high schools and major employers in the West Valley. Young said he would also like to begin a fund-raising campaign this year for Pierce College.
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