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EXTRA The Newsletter for Faculty and Staff at COD March 22, 2001 Volume 12 Number 26

A Special Extra Edition to announce the selection of the Superintendent/ President of the Desert Community College District

Quote: I can be tough and decisive when required and learned long ago that courage is a trait that is required of the job. I like to take chances as long as the risk is for students, and I like to create a can- do climate where faculty and staff feel free to be creative and innovative.-- Dr. Dr. Maria Sheehan (left) is the new Superintendent/President Maria Sheehan of Desert Community College District and College of the Desert. The news was announced this afternoon by Charles Hayden,

chairman of the DCCD Board of Trustees, after he and fellow Trustee Jim Gray finalized negotiations on a contract with Dr. Sheehan. She's shown (at a reception for candidates held last

month at the Palm Springs Desert Museum) with Josie Gallegos, Director, Vocational Education, Juan Lujan, Director of Eastern/Western Valley Centers, and Carlos Gonzalez, co- President of M.E.Ch.A (a student club focused on Hispanic heritage). Scenes From Her Modesto's Sheehan Is New Interview On Feb. 12, 2001 at COD Leader COD: The new chief executive officer for College of the Desert is Dr. Maria Cristina Sheehan, currently President of Modesto Junior College (MJC). Dr. Sheehan will assume her duties July 1. Sheehan, daughter of immigrants from Panama, was born in Los Angeles. She will become the first Hispanic (and the first woman) President of COD in its 40-year history. She holds a doctorate in Education (Administration) from Pepperdine University, and two Master's Degrees: an M.S. in Counseling from Cal State University (CSU) Los Angeles and an M.A. in Special Education from CSU Long Beach. She also earned her B.A. in Sociology at CSU Los Angeles. For the past six years she's been President at MJC, the larger school (16,000 students) in the two-college Yosemite Community College District (YCCD). The Board of Trustees of Desert Community College District made its decision after a months-long search for a replacement for retiring Superintendent/President Dr. William Kroonen. The Board made its choice at a closed session last Friday and a contract was hammered out this week and signed today. The new president comes highly recommended. "She's truly an outstanding educational leader who has earned the respect of all segments of the college community," writes David Baggett, President, MJC Academic Senate President, in a letter of recommendation. "Dr. Sheehan is an exceptional leader able to balance vision with effective administration." Pamila Fisher, Chancellor, YCCD, said, "Maria clearly possesses

the special abilities you are seeking..... She oversaw a major expansion of distance learning programs including instructional television and internet courses. In fact, our college is now known

as a leader in the use of technology...." The MJC Foundation President, Brice Draper, wrote, "She is highly motivated tremendously energetic, dedicated, hardworking, and a hands-on, persuasive visionary with good management skills." In her application, Sheehan said of herself, "I can be tough and decisive when required and learned long ago that courage is a trait that is required of the job. I like to take chances as long as the risk is for students, and I like to create a can-do climate where faculty and staff feel free to be creative and innovative. My personal qualities include an abundance of energy, strong commitment to getting the job done, and a desire to treat everyone in the way I wish to be treated. And I think humor is important. I believe that in education, we often take ourselves too seriously." She began her full-time educational career as an instructor of sign language and basic skills at El Camino College in 1973. She later served as a counselor and administrator at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, then became Director of Student Affairs at Irvine Valley College, both part of the South Orange CCD. In 1983, she became Vice Chancellor, Employee Relations and Personnel, at the District. In 1989, Sheehan moved to Sacramento to take a job with the California Community College Chancellor's Office where she served as Vice Chancellor, Human Resources. The position in the Chancellor's Office gave Sheehan a comprehensive overview of the State's Community College network. While there, she implemented a system-wide Faculty and Staff Diversity Program and directed the Staff Development Program for California's two- year colleges. In 1995, she left Sacramento to become President of Modesto Junior College (MJC), the larger of two institutions that make up the Yosemite CCD. At Modesto, Sheehan cites several specific achievements of which she's most proud: She became the chief strategist to revitalize the College Foundation, with spectacular results. She took contributions from $12,000 to over $3 million in five years. Sheehan formed a partnership with the County Superintendent of Schools to develop a Job Skills Academy. They partnered with the business community to teach skill building and technical skills to high schools students who were at risk, and achieved an 80% documented success rate. And she worked closely with CSU Stanislaus (in nearby Turlock) to form a Dual Admissions Agreement, implementing a strategy to promote greater numbers of transfer students. The resulting tracking and follow-up system is now used by all Central Valley community colleges. Sheehan was one of more than 40 applicants for the job and survived two cuts: the first to seven candidates who came to COD for a round of interviews in February, then to four semi-finalists as recommended by a 35-person Search Committee representing a cross-section of campus and community leaders, and finally to two finalists selected by the Board 15 days ago. After the seven interviewees were publicly introduced to the campus, subsequent deliberations were held in closed confidential sessions. The campus has been focused on the process for weeks and despite a busy rumor mill the Board managed to keep the final decision under wraps until the contract was signed.

The Insider is the newsletter for Faculty and Staff at College of the Desert, 43-500 Monterey Ave., Palm Desert, CA 92260. Published weekly during the school year, except during holidays. Send submissions via email or interoffice campus mail. Information: Tom Wixon, Public Relations Officer, ext. 589. From off-campus: (760) 773-2589 or [email protected].

The Insider is the newsletter for Faculty and Staff at College of the Desert, 43-500 Monterey Ave., Palm Desert, CA 92260. Published weekly during the school year, except during holidays. Send submissions via email or interoffice campus mail. Information: Tom Wixon, Director, Public Relations, ext. 2589. From off-campus: (760) 773-2589 or [email protected].