Bakersfield College names interim president
By The Bakersfield Californian
Related article: Bakersfield College president stepping down to teach
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Kern Community College District Chancellor Sandra V. Serrano has announced Dr. Robert D. Jensen will be the interim president of Bakersfield College.
"Dr. Jensen has come highly recommended," said Serrano. "He has an excellent breadth of experience and a stellar reputation, and we are fortunate he embraced the opportunity to come to Bakersfield. I am pleased to have Dr. Jensen as the interim president for Bakersfield College."
Jensen has broad experience and expertise in community college administration, having been deputy Chancellor at Los Rios Community College District in Sacramento and president of American River College in Sacramento. Jensen was also chancellor of Rancho Santiago Community College District in Santa Ana, Contra Costa Community College District in Martinez, and Pima County Community College District in Tucson, Arizona.
Jensen has served in a number of interim president and chancellor positions at community colleges in California, most recently Solano Community College District. Of his experience, more than 19 years are in community college leadership.
Jensen is replacing outgoing president Dr. Greg A. Chamberlain, who announced his resignation in early February. Jensen and Chamberlain will be working together to transition duties beginning February 27 in preparation for Chamberlain's resignation, which will take place on June 30, 2012. Chamberlain will facilitate the transition and prepare to return to the classroom.
"I am looking forward to working with the Bakersfield College family during this transition," said Jensen. "The College is one of the oldest institutions in the state with a proud heritage of 'excellence' in serving its students and community. I look forward to meeting the students, staff, faculty, and administrative team and contributing in any way that is needed."
Jensen earned a bachelor's degree in business/administration/accounting and a master's in education/English/literature from Linfield College in Oregon. He began teaching in 1962, and returned to school at Washington State University to earn his doctorate in community college administration.
According to Chamberlain, a screening committee is now being formed to guide a national search for Bakersfield College's next president.
-- Bakersfield College
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