Following interviews with three outstanding finalists on Wednesday evening, May 28, the Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to appoint Pam Eddinger, Ph.D., to the position of Moorpark College President. Dr. Eddinger, currently serving as Executive Vice President of Student Learning at Moorpark College, manages instruction, student services, and learning support programs through eight organizational subdivisions.
Eddinger will replace Dr. Eva Conrad who will retire in July.
"We are pleased Dr. Eddinger will be stepping into the role of President at Moorpark College. She has an excellent reputation for establishing relationships and broadening partnerships with local government, business, nonprofit, and educational organizations. I am confident that Dr. Eddinger will make measured progress in building upon the institution’s traditional excellence in liberal arts transfer education towards a more comprehensive model of program and service delivery. Ventura County residents will find her to be responsive to the needs of the academy and community,” said Dr. James Meznek, Chancellor of Ventura County Community College District.
Prior to her Moorpark College appointment in 2005, Dr. Eddinger served as Executive Vice President, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty, Executive Director for College Relations, and Director of Public Relations at Massachusetts Bay Community College from 1990-2005. Dr. Eddinger has extensive experience in administration and teaching and is known as a collaborative leader who inspires others to realize their potential. She holds a Ph.D. and Master’s degree in Japanese Literature from Columbia University, New York, and a Bachelor’s degree in English from Barnard College, New York.
Dr. Larry Miller, Chair of the Board of Trustees, stated, “The Board believes Dr. Eddinger has the vision and experience to lead Moorpark College at the level of excellence and distinction it stands for in the community. She has an impressive resume of achievements that will serve the college well.” The Board also expressed its satisfaction with the nation-wide presidential search conducted by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). Vice Chair Robert Huber stated, “Dr. Judith Valles did an exceptional job as the District’s search consultant to develop a pool of 37 candidates for the position. A search committee consisting of Ventura County Community College District employees and members of the Moorpark community subsequently reviewed the applicants. The members of this committee took their charge of selecting a pool of superior individuals for the Chancellor and Trustees to select from very seriously.”
In response to her appointment, Dr. Eddinger said, “It has been a pleasure to serve as Moorpark College’s Executive Vice President for the last three years. I look forward to serving Moorpark College as President, and leading the academy to the next stage in its growth. It will be a true pleasure to serve the citizens of Ventura County.”
Moorpark College is one of three accredited colleges in the Ventura County Community College District. The college served 22,000 students in 2007. As a comprehensive community college, Moorpark offers both transfer and career programs and is known to have the highest rate of transfer to UC and CSU schools among California community colleges of similar size.
The Moorpark College student body includes approximately 14,900 students ranging in age from 11 years old to over 70, with a majority of its students between 18 and 30 years old. Fifty-five percent are female and 45 percent are male, while 65 percent attend during the daytime and 35 percent attend courses in the evening. Minorities make up 30 percent of the students. The Ventura County Community College District is a partner in the 109-campus California Community College system. |
