September 28, 2004
INFORMATION: John McElwain or John Green, (661) 362-3494 or 3684
Jenkins Assumes Statewide Community College Leadership Position
SANTA CLARITA - Michele Jenkins, Santa Clarita Community College District trustee, has assumed the position of president of the Community College League of California.
The Community College League is the statewide organization of the locally elected governing boards and chief executive officers of California’s 72 community college districts and 109 colleges. The association promotes the needs and interests of the colleges and their students in Sacramento, supports training and development opportunities for the governing boards and college staff, and helps shape state policy on education, finance and governance issues.
“Michele Jenkins’ public service to her local community and the community colleges statewide has been exemplary,” said David Viar, chief executive officer of the Community College League. “She is an ideal leader during these times of challenge for the community colleges and the state.”
In her role as president, Jenkins will represent the league and the community colleges with the Legislature, state boards and commissions, and the public. As a first-generation college student, Jenkins attended College of the Canyons the year it opened and acknowledges the role the community college played in her achieving a bachelor’s degree from UCLA and a master’s degree from the university of North Dakota. This December she will have served on the COC board for 20 years. In addition, Jenkins has served on the California Community College Trustee Board (elected by all of the district trustees in the state) for 9.5 years and currently serves as president.
“Michele Jenkins has worked tirelessly and extremely effectively in her leading role as a Santa Clarita Community College District trustee,” said Dr. Dianne Van Hook, superintendent-president of College of the Canyons. “As someone who was a product of a community college, College of the Canyons, she has an uncommon passion and commitment. She is the right person at the right time with the right experience to assume this very important leadership position. Colleges and students statewide will benefit from her integrity, courage, vision, perspective, energy and ability to get things done,” said Van Hook.
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