Yuba College chancellor's search narrowed to three finalists
Ron Erickson
9-9:50 a.m. Monday at Clear Lake campus, Room 800B
11:15-12:05 a.m. Monday at Yuba College, in the theater
3-3:50 p.m. Monday at Woodland campus, Room 852
Douglas Houston
10 -10:50 a.m. Monday at Clear Lake campus, Room 880B
11-11:50 a.m. Monday at Woodland campus, room 852
4-4:50 p.m. Monday at Yuba College, in the theater
Jim Riggs
10-10:50 a.m. Tuesday at Clear Lake campus, Room 800B
1:30-2:20 p.m. Tuesday at Woodland campus, Room 852
4-4:50 p.m. Tuesday at Yuba College, Room 201
FURTHER READING
Three finalists emerged from a national search to replace retiring Yuba College Chancellor Nicki Harrington.
Public forums will be held Monday and Tuesday so administration, faculty, staff, students and the general public can learn more about the individuals. Comment forms will be distributed and collected for review by the Yuba Community College District board of trustees.
The board is expected to make its selection next week and will begin negotiations with one of the three candidates, said Trustee Brent Hastey.
"If you have the time and opportunity to get to the forums, please make sure (you do)," Hastey said. "I think you would be impressed with the quality of people who want to lead Yuba College.
"Overall, I thought the applicant pool was very good. I think the three finalists are outstanding," he said.
Harrington announced her retirement in January. She came to the district in 2002, and she fell under criticism in the last year after trustees approved two pay raises for the chancellor. The first one was later rescinded, but the second raise of $15,000 brought her salary to $232,429.
Al Alt, the former director of personnel services for the college district, was named by Harrington to serve as her successor until a new chancellor is selected.
Hastey estimated 16 to 20 people applied for the position, which was advertised nationally until April 1. The salary of the new chancellor has not been set.
CANDIDATES
Jim Riggs
Jim Riggs serves as professor of community college education and interim doctoral program director at CSU Stanislaus. Before that, he served for 10 years president of Columbia College in Sonora and was executive dean of the Clear Lake Campus of Yuba College.
He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in music and a doctorate in higher education leadership and curriculum. He lives with his wife in Colombia and has three children.
Ron Erickson
Ron Erickson is serving his second year as president of Hocking College, in Nelsonville, Ohio. He has also served as vice president of academic affairs and institutional planning at Dakota County Technical College in Minnesota.
He holds a bachelor's degree in psychology, a master's degree in special education and a doctorate in educational policy and administration. Erickson is married with four children, three of whom were adopted, and enjoys fishing, horsemanship, camping and the arts.
Douglas Houston
Douglas Houston is one of two California candidates, serving the past four years as superintendent and president of Lassen Community College District. His experience also includes time as vice president for human and information services at the Butte-Glenn Community College District.
He recently was appointed to the California Community Colleges' economic development policy advisory committee and elected to the Community Colleges' CEO Board.
The son of a career army officer, he grew up and attended school in various countries. He holds a bachelor's and master's degrees in physics and obtained a doctorate in educational leadership after he left military service. He lives with his wife and two children south of Paradise, where they also have about two dozen pets. His hobbies include camping, biking, boating, woodcarving and carpentry.
