[Editor’s Note: Mr. Charles is a reporter in the San Gabriel Valley, and this story appeared this morning in the Pasadena Star-News.]
PASADENA — The Pasadena City College Board of Trustees announced Mark Rocha as its new college president Wednesday, replacing interim president Lisa Sugimoto.
Mr. Rocha is currently the president of West Los Angeles College and will begin his term at PCC on July 1.
“It's a dream come true,” Mr. Rocha said. “I am so pleased, and I can't wait to get to work.”
Wednesday night's announcement came with platitudes about Mr. Rocha from board members.
“We're highly impressed with Dr. Rocha's collegial teamwork approach at West Los Angeles College that resulted in great progress in the areas of enrollment, budget and external grants and fundraising,” said board president Hilary Bradbury-Huang about Mr. Rocha.
PCC board member Bill Thomson said the hiring process, which narrowed down to two candidates from a field of nearly 90, was filled with quality applicants. He was confident PCC made a good choice.
“We felt we had two very qualified people to choose from,” he said. “We're confident that Dr. Rocha can come in and work with the staff.”
While board members exuded confidence in their pick, some of the faculty were cold to the announcement of the new president.
“I'm neither happy nor unhappy,” said Roger Marheine, president of PCC Faculty Assn. “This was a decision made by the board despite a tremendous amount of opposition by faculty and staff.”
The hiring process was marred by controversy as student, staff and faculty openly opposed the board hiring anyone at this point.
In May, the Associated Student — the student government — released a statement advising the board not to hire anyone at this time. The statement came after Mr. Rocha and fellow finalist Desdemona Cardoza, provost at Cal State Los Angeles, visited the school and met with campus leaders.
“I think we were all underwhelmed,” said Suzanne Anderson, past president of the faculty association. “I think we were looking for a candidate that really understands how a community college works.”
She said she is worried the new president could be motivated by politics rather than education.
“We will see,” Ms. Anderson said.
Mr. Rocha's hiring comes less than a year after Paulette Perfumo resigned amidst controversy over her conduct.
“We've just come out of the worst president in my 30 years at PCC,” Mr. Marheine said. “So we're all recovering.”
Mr. Rocha acknowledged the challenges that come with running PCC, especially after such a contentious period in the school's history.
“I'm going to listen and I'm going to learn,” Rocha said. “Anytime you come into a new situation there are going to be conflicts and situations to work through.”
Some faculty members were pleased with the hire and called for cooperation with the president.
“I hope that all my faculty colleagues will help welcome Dr. Rocha,” said Edward Martinez, president elect of the Academic Senate.
Glenna Watterson, classified staff union president, said she will remain cautiously optimistic about the appointment.
“We will work with him. We will embrace him. We will watch him.”
Mr. Charles may be contacted at brian.charles@sgvn.com
