2 Finalists for Head of Oxnard College Give Views at Forum

Officials have winnowed through dozens of candidates to settle on two finalists for the president’s post at Oxnard College. Both were introduced to the public at a question-and-answer forum this week.

They are James Williams, president at Arapahoe Community College near Denver, and Francisco Arce, dean of instruction at Diablo Valley College in Contra Costa County.

The forum Tuesday drew about 50 people, who wrote their impressions on note cards given to school officials. The event had been rescheduled four times, most recently because of the terrorist attacks.

“This is an extremely important event for us and it has been a long process,” said Mike Gregoryk, the college district’s deputy chancellor.

The president’s position was vacated in December by Steven Arvizu, who left because of health complications from a car accident. Arvizu, who had been the school’s fourth leader in its 26 years, was paid $139,000 annually.

The two candidates took turns addressing guests outside the presence of each other and offered dramatically different styles.

Few of their comments addressed the most pressing items on the school’s agenda, including rising enrollment and expansion, a need for more books, periodicals and computers, and the disrepair of buildings.

Serious and soft-spoken, Arce gripped the dais and talked of his upbringing near Los Angeles by Mexican immigrant parents and the influence of teachers throughout his childhood.

“I believe I have an in-depth understanding of teaching, and that good teachers can inspire people to learn,” he said.

Unlike his competitor, whose opening remarks ran only a couple minutes, Arce spent nearly an hour talking about his career accomplishments and family.

Arce has been married 31 years, and his wife is a student services coordinator at Yuba College in Marysville. His two grown children are both teachers.

In his four years at Diablo, Arce said, he increased enrollment by 4,500 students and expanded the institution’s learning space by 120,000 square feet.

Arce said his goals would be to bring stability to the campus, give the college a greater presence in the community and establish close ties with the new Cal State Channel Islands in Camarillo.

In contrast with Arce, Williams stood in front of the lectern and peppered his comments with humor.

Williams, who oversees 7,500 students, began his career more than 20 years ago at Cal Poly Pomona, rising from assistant professor to dean of the College of Arts. His resume indicates extensive experience in ethnic and women’s studies.

At Arapahoe, Williams writes a newspaper column on campus issues and encourages administrators to speak with campus reporters. Williams also established a student leader position that has a vote on many college committees.

Good working relationships among support staff members, student leaders and administrators are critical, he said, adding that school officials must “move away from titles and ranks” to promote a collegial spirit.

Ventura County Community College District Chancellor Philip Westin plans to make a decision in about two weeks, following visits to both Arapahoe and Diablo Valley colleges.