After having been absent since Aug. 30, Dr. Victoria Bortolussi returned to Moorpark College Monday to assume new duties as dean of three science departments.

Bortolussi, who will now supervise Life Sciences, Chemistry and Earth Sciences, and Physics and Astronomy, previously supervised Learning Communities Institutes, the High School at Moorpark College and Work Experience.

Bortolussi is glad to be back, saying, “I’m thrilled,” but declined to comment further.

Moorpark College President Dr. Eva Conrad also declined to comment on Bortolussi’s absence, citing personnel matters. But she said she is happy to have her back.

“I am delighted that Dr. Bortolussi is back with us on campus, and we are all ready to move on to the next chapter in planning for our campus’ future,” Conrad said.

Bortolussi takes over the Sciences Division from Dean Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh, who has been serving double-duty supervising two divisions for the past two years. Abu-Ghazaleh will continue to supervise Arts, Communications, and Access and will help Bortolussi with her transition into her new position.

“Sciences is a large and complex division with a lot going on,” Abu-Ghazaleh said. He said he is looking forward to having more time to concentrate on the Arts and Communications programs, including art, dance, music, speech, journalism, multimedia, graphics and access.

In addition to Bortolussi’s position, several positions that were previously temporary have been made permanent. These positions are the Library and Regional Consortium grant, filled by Inajane Nicklas; the High School at Moorpark College and related grants plus the Tech Prep Consortium grant and all future grants, filled by Brenda Shubert; the Learning Communities and production of the class schedule, filled by Fabienne McPhail Naples; and the position in the Career Center, filled by Judith Gerhart.

Edited Oct. 21: Bortolussi returned after having been absent since Aug. 30, not after “two months and three weeks of unexplained absence.”