The Board of Trustees of the Ventura County Community College District has approved the retirement of Moorpark College President Dr. Eva Conrad. She will retire on July 2,2008, after 33 years of service to California community colleges.
“My husband and I are both retiring at the end of this academic year, and our plans are to live this new phase of our lives with a focus on fun,” said Conrad. Mark Rafter, Conrad’s husband, is a faculty member in the psychology department at College of the Canyons.
Conrad began her career at San Bernardino Valley College in 1975 as a faculty member in psychology. She served in this role for 18 years before moving into educational administration. She received “Outstanding Professor of the Year (1990) and “Women who Make a Difference (1993) awards while at San Bernardino Valley College. She served as the Vice President of Instruction at San Bernardino Valley College for 3 years. In 1997, she was appointed Executive Vice President at Moorpark College, and after serving in that role for five years, was appointed as College President in July, 2002.
Her accomplishments at the college include: spearheading an administrative reorganization that reflects the student learning concept of combining students serves with academic disciplines. She pursued articulation arrangements with the new Cal State University, Channel Islands. She led the development of a massive strategic planning effort at Moorpark College that encompassed fiscal, physical, and educational master plans that project 15 years out.
Many say that her civility, humanity and commitment to growing leaders from within the ranks have profoundly strengthened and blessed the culture of the college.
“She believes that in kindness there is strength and that strength must be exercised with kindness. Many of us have taken that lesson to heart and in doing so our faculty, administrators, staff, and students have all benefited,” said former Academic Senate President Char Arnold.
"Dr. Conrad is well respected within the Ventura County Community College District and the California Community College System,” said VCCCD Chancellor James Meznek. “She is highly regarded as an outstanding educational leader and for her absolute commitment to the community college mission, which places students first. Dr. Conrad is a professional of the first order. Her dedication, knowledge, hard work, and commitment to our District and its students will serve as the standard for all those who follow her in leadership positions. On a personal note, Eva is a trusted colleague and valued advisor. Her kindness, finesse, positive outlook, and insight will be greatly missed.”
Conrad served in numerous state roles both as the Executive Vice President and College President, such as chairing the California Commission on Athletics, representing the region on the California Executive Board of Chief Instructional Officers, and serving on numerous accreditation teams. In 2002, she received the second highest honor bestowed by the Association of California Community College Administrators, the Leadership Award for Administrative Excellence. This award is given to a community college administrator whose commitment to the profession exemplifies creativity and innovation, volunteerism, commitment to the college and community, and service as a role model to others.
Locally, she serves on the CSU Northridge Enrollment Advisory Committee, and previously served on the United Way Board. She participated in the Ventura County Leadership Academy, completing the program in 1999.
Conrad earned three degrees in psychology: a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Alabama in Mobile, and a master’s and doctorate from the University of Arizona in Tucson. She is also a graduate from Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management (1996).
This fall marks the beginning of my 11th year at Moorpark College and my 32nd year in California Community Colleges. My time at Moorpark College has been excellent -- challenging, productive, innovative, and fun, “ she said.
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