Copper Mountain College has announced the names of five finalists for the superintendent/president position to replace the current president/superintendent Jeff Cummings, who is retiring. The District’s board of trustees hope to announce its selection for superintendent/president during its May 9 board meeting, with a projected start date of July 1. Morongo Basin residents are invited to attend five community forums scheduled for today, Monday, April 29, at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. in the Bell Center Community Room. Each forum will introduce one finalist, and provide opportunities to ask questions.
Dr. Gregg Busch holds a Doctorate degree in higher education administration and leadership from West Virginia University, a Master’s degree in community medicine and a Bachelor’s degree in mortuary science. He is currently the Vice President of Instruction and Chief Academic Officer at Pima West Campus in Arizona. He has also served as an Academic Dean at North Central State College and the Dean of Arts and Science at Washington State Community College in Ohio.
Dr. Robert Frost has worked in community college education since 1989. Dr. Frost serves as the Dean of the John Adams Campus, Allied Health and Nursing at City College San Francisco (CCSF). Prior to CCSF, Rob was a Vice President of Academic and Student Services at multiple colleges, an Interim Superintendent/President for one year at College of the Siskiyous, and President of Centralia College in Western Washington state. For 12 years he was a tenured community college professor of humanities and Spanish, teaching in classroom, lecture hall, and online settings. Dr. Frost received his Doctorate degree at University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign.
Dr. Krista Johns currently serves as a Guided Pathways Regional Coordinator for the State Chancellor’s Office, working with colleges in the Northern San Francisco Bay Area to strengthen effective practices and increase student success. She has more than 25 years of higher education experience, and has served as a faculty member, director of curriculum, program director, academic dean (English and Business), vice president of instruction, interim college president, and vice chancellor in a multi-college district. Ms. Johns holds a Juris Doctor degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law, and a B.A. Degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
Dr. Nathaniel Jones professional career has spanned more than 29 years of which the past sixteen years have been spent working in higher education involved in administration, teaching, research, and consulting. Dr. Jones is currently the Vice President, Business Services at Moreno Valley College of the Riverside Community College District. He has held administrative and faculty positions at public and private higher education institutions including: University of California, Riverside, Pepperdine University, Dartmouth College, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Maryland. Dr. Jones earned a Ph.D. in Health Policy in 2002 from the University of Maryland after completing a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Dr. Daren Otten is currently the interim Vice President of Instruction and Student Services at Yuba College. Daren previously served as Dean of Applied Academics and Workforce Development, a unit with traditional CTE programs, but also home to departments of Allied Health, Public Safety, and Athletics. Prior to joining Yuba College, Daren served eleven years as faculty and vice-chair in the department of Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, and Manufacturing at CSU, Chico. Daren has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology and Manufacturing Management, a Master’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, both from CSU, Chico, and a Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from CSU, Sacramento.
