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Columbia College Vice President of Student Learning Finalists Selected

Press Release
Contact: Office of the College President, Coni Chavez, (209) 588-5115
chavezc@yosemite.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2011

SONORA, CA – The Columbia College Vice President of Student Learning Search Committee has selected four finalists.

The finalists (with most recent position held) are listed below:

• Dr. Leslie Buckalew
(Director International Business Plan & MBA/TLM Career & Academic Advisor, Monterey Institute of International Studies, A Graduate School of Middlebury College, Monterey, CA)

• Dr. Steven Cohen
(Dean of Instruction, Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rose, CA)

• Dr. Jerry Collins
(Director, Undergraduate Students / Chair, Leadership Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL)

• Dr. John Colson
(Vice President of Student Services, Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, El Cajon, CA)

Open forums for the finalists are scheduled for Monday, December 12 in the Dogwood Forum at Columbia College. Four times are set (8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.) for the 45-minute presentations. Each finalist will be given an opportunity to discuss their preparation for the position, their educational and leadership philosophy, and will conclude with a time to respond to questions from forum attendees. Attendees will be given the opportunity to complete a comment card that will be given to the Columbia College President. Forums are open to the public.

Finalist Profiles:

Dr. Leslie Buckalew
Education
• Post Doctoral Studies, Higher Education Leadership, Harvard Univesity
• Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration, University of Southern California
• MPH in Public Health Education, California State University at Northridge, CA
• B.S. in Physiological Psychology, University of California at Santa Barbara, CA

Professional Experience
• Director International Business Plan & MBA/TLM Career & Academic Advisor, Monterey Institute of International Studies, A Graduate School of Middlebury College, Monterey, CA (2009-present)
• Vice President Sales & Marketing, WEBLOQ, Monterey, CA (2008-2009)
• Higher Education Consultant, Entrepreneurial Activities (2001-2008)
• World Wide Director Higher Education, Adobe, San Jose, CA (2006-2007)
• North America Education & Government Industry Marketing Manager, Cisco, San Jose, CA (2004-2006)
• Senior Sales Executive, SBC Global, San Jose, CA (2003-2004)
• Public Sector Industry Manager, Siemens ICN, Santa Clara, CA (1997-2003)
• Dean of Instruction, Hartnell College, Salinas, CA (1990-1997)

Dr. Steven Cohen
Education
• Ed.D. in Organization and Leadership, University of San Francisco, CA
• M.S. in Education, College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, NY
• B.S. in Behavioral Science, Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, NY

Professional Experience
• Dean of Instruction, Business and Professional Students, Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa, CA (2007-present)
• Supervising Administrator for Off Campus and Satellite Programs, Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa, CA (2000-2007)
• Division Chair of Business Computer Science, and Applied Technology, Contra Costa College, San Pablo, CA (1998-2000)
• Department Chair/Instructor Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts, Contra Costa College, San Pablo, CA (1988-1998)

Dr. Jerry Collins
Education
• Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction / Higher Education Administration, University of South Florida
• M.A. in International Relations / Comparative Politics, University of South Florida
• B.S. in Liberal Students (Management / Foreign Area Studies), University of the State of NY – Regents College

Professional Experience
• Director, Undergraduate Studies / Chair, Leadership Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL (2003-present)
• Regional Coordinator, Educational Outreach, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL (2000-2003)
• Coordinator, Adult Learning & Transfer Student Services, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL (1994-2000)
• Language School—Unit Administrator, Defense Language Institute, Monterey, CA (1992-1994)
• Lead Instructor / Curriculum Designer, U.S. Intelligence School, Ft. Devens, MA (1986-1992)

Dr. John Colson
Education
• Ed.D. in Higher Education, University of Georgia
• M.A. in Religion, University of Georgia
• B.A. in Philosophy and Religion, Toccoa Falls College

Professional Experience
• Vice President of Student Services, Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, El Cajon, CA (2006-present
• Vice President of Student Affairs, Bainbridge College, Bainbridge, GA (2004-2006)
• Director of Student Life, Waycross College, Waycross, GA (2000-2004)
• Assistant Dean of Campus Life, Charleston Southern University, Charleston, SC (1998-1999)

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*Photos to follow when received.

Coni M. Chavez
Executive Assistant to the President
Columbia College
11600 Columbia College Drive
Sonora, CA 95370
(209) 588-5115 • (209) 588-5161 fax
chavezc@yosemite.edu