Jeff
Baker Offered Interim President Position
The Desert Community College District Board of Trustees voted 5-0 to
accept the unanimous recommendation of the College leadership team and offered
Jeff Baker, Vice President of Student Services, the position of Interim
Superintendent/President following the departure of Dr. Joel L. Kinnamon in
March.
Baker
joined the College in 2016 and has been a significant part of the College’s
leadership team, including serving as the Interim Vice President of Student Learning
and Interim Executive Vice President. He has almost 25 years of community college leadership
experience and has previously held positions at Ohlone College, Las Positas
College and Grossmont College.
Baker
will lead the College while a search for a permanent replacement is made. By
taking the interim position, he will not be eligible for the permanent post.
“A strong leader,
Jeff has been a driving force in our award-winning student success initiatives,”
said Dr. Kinnamon. “He assisted the College in stabilizing the institution and
paving the way for significant changes in Counseling, Student Services,
Enrollment Management, and Instruction, all of which resulted in greatly
improved services and outcomes for students.”
The Board of Trustees is currently interviewing multiple executive leadership search
firms and anticipates making a final selection later this month. Faculty, staff
and students will play a key role in the selection process during open forums
and town-hall-style meetings.
Posted: 1/15/2021