After an intensive four-month process, the search for a new Moorpark College president will soon reach an end, once the final decision has been made.

Pam Eddinger, the college’s previous president, resigned in the spring of 2013 to become president of Bunker Hill Community College in Boston. Iris Ingram, Vice President of Business Services, then took over as the acting president until the Fall of 2013. The search for an Interim President then began in the summer, which resulted in Dr. Bernard Luskin, a founding president and CEO of several colleges and universities, to take over through the course of the 2013-14 school year.

Luskin has developed a strong appreciation for Moorpark College during his time here, and hopes for the continued improvement of the campus.

“I am most excited and passionate about Moorpark College,” says Luskin. “We are recognized among the best, because we are one of the best.”

Luskin has extended his reach to a lot of programs here and has become very involved in improving many aspects of this campus.

A permanent president is expected to be chosen by mid-April, and will then take over in the summer. However, this is only the current estimation of the time-frame, which rests on the decision of Chancellor Jamillah Moore.

Jim Walker, Managing Partner at Community College Search Services (CCSS), explained that the finalists have been selected by the search committee and are currently awaiting the final interviews for the position, which will take place on March 27.

The CCSS is a team of executive search consultants that are dedicated to helping districts identify, recruit and hire top-level executives for a college or district. Walker has been an involved facilitator for the search committee throughout the process.

Walker explained that the process involved initial applications from potential candidates, who were then interviewed and rated by the search committee. The committee then selected the candidates from this pool of applicants.

“There was a huge pool this time,” said Walker. “It was more than average and it contained a lot of great candidates.”

The next step for the candidates will be a public forum that will be held in the EATM Auditorium at Moorpark College on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

According to information released from the Chancellor’s Office, the search has currently been narrowed down to four potential candidates: Cliff Davis, Dr. Joyce Ester, Dr. Betty Inclan, and Dr. Vernon Smith.

Davis serves as Vice Chancellor for Advancement, Student Affairs, Workforce Development and Executive Director of the OTC Foundation at Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) in Springfield, Missouri. He holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in Communications from Missouri State and is nearing completion of a doctorate in instructional leadership and higher education administration (ABD) from Lindenwood University.

Dr. Ester most recently served as President of Kennedy-King College in Chicago. During her time there, the graduation rate grew as a result of increased focus on student progress and faculty/staff development. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Northern Illinois University, as well as a Master’s degree in Developmental Studies and Doctor of Philosophy in Child and Adolescent Development from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Dr. Inclan has held strong education positions in both California and Florida, most recently consulting on program review, planning, enrollment management, and learning outcomes assessment for City College of San Francisco. She credits her accomplishments on her strong commitment to participatory governance and her collegial and transparent leadership style. Inclan earned a Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Texas at Austin, as well as a Master’s degree in English from Kent State University and a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Miami.

Dr. Smith became a leader for Spanish and Business at Rio Salado College in Tempe, Arizona. He served as the Faculty Chair for Languages, as well as Faculty Senate President, where he worked extensively in online languages and dual enrollment programs. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degrees in Latin American Studies and Spanish at Brigham Young University graduating Magna Cum Laude, a Master of Organizational Behavior from the Marriott School of Management, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy in Organization and Administration of Higher Education from the Center for the Study of Higher Education at The University of Arizona.

These four prestigious candidates will be speaking at Wednesday’s public forum, where audience members will have the opportunity to submit questions to them.

Davis is scheduled to speak at this event at 11:00 a.m., with Ester speaking at 12:00 p.m., Inclan at 1:00p.m., and Smith at 2:00p.m. Students, faculty, staff, and community members are encouraged to attend the public forum to become a part of this important change for Moorpark College.