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On January 10, the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Community College District extended the appointments of Ernest H. Moreno, Interim President of Los Angeles Mission College and Dr. Jack E. Daniels, III, Interim President of Los Angeles Southwest College.

The Trustees approved the extensions because they felt it is in the best interests of the District to defer the decision on permanent presidents at these two colleges until a new District Chancellor has been selected.  The Chancellor’s selection process will occur this spring and it is hoped that a new Chancellor will be in place by the end of August 2007, when Chancellor Darroch “Rocky” Young retires. The selection process for both presidents is anticipated to occur during the 2007-08 academic year.

When Moreno was originally appointed interim president last June, it was anticipated that Los Angeles Mission College would be prepared to transition to a new permanent president by June 2007.

 “Setting an absolute time frame for the selection process would be premature at this time,” said Board President Michael Waxman.  “President Moreno has done an outstanding job of confronting and resolving many issues on campus.  However, he needs a bit more time to assist in policy development that will insure the academic and financial success of Mission College in the future.”

Moreno has expressed his personal desire to return to East Los Angeles College. He believes that ELAC represents the heart of the educational community in the eastern end of the San Gabriel Valley and that is where he would like to call “home.” However, he is also very pleased that the LACCD recognizes and supports his efforts on an interim basis at Mission College.

 “While I can’t wait to return to my former position as President of East Los Angeles College, I do need more time here at Mission College,” said Moreno.  “I believe that it is best for the incoming Chancellor, for the Board of Trustees, the students, staff and faculty at Mission that I remain here until a permanent president is selected.”

Trustee President Michael Waxman also commented on the decision for Los Angeles Southwest College.   “Jack Daniels is doing an excellent job as Interim President of Southwest College and it would be in the college’s best interest to continue his services for an additional year,” he said “In a show of support, representatives from Southwest College spoke to the Board on December 13, 2006 commending his efforts and encouraging us to continue his services.”

“It has been a pleasure serving as the Interim President at Southwest College for the past six months,” Daniels said.  “A lot of projects have begun with the support and collaboration of the faculty and staff and I look forward to bringing a number of these initiatives to fruition.”

The nine colleges in the Los Angeles Community College District provide more than 2900 different courses serving more than 120,000 vocational education and transfer students.  Tuition is just $20 per unit.  For additional information, visit www.lacolleges.net.

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