West Hills Lemoore narrows search for new president to three finalists

The three were selected to move forward after nine finalists were interviewed by a presidential search committee made up of 14 college and district administrators, staff and faculty from Lemoore and the district, and two members of the West Hills Community College District Board of Trustees. Board members on the committee were Len Falter of Lemoore and Nina Oxborrow of Coalinga.

The national search yielded 43 applicants to fill the seat of retiring President Don Warkentin, who leaves the college late this fall after a career that covers 29 years as a campus administrator, beginning in 1986. 

The finalists include Dr. Jeremy Brown, former president, Portland Community College in Oregon; Dr. Kristin Clark, vice president, student services, Orange Coast College in California; and Dr. Chemene Crawford, vice president, student services, El Centro College in Texas.

The search committee held personal interviews on Aug. 5 and 6 with the top nine candidates. Three were selected to come back to Lemoore on Sept. 10 for a public forum on campus to meet faculty, staff and members of the community. The three will get a second interview the next day, Sept. 11 with Chancellor Frank Gornick, who will then recommend one individual to become only the third president of WHCL in its 14-year history. That recommendation will go to the Board of Trustees for approval at its regular meeting on Sept. 22, which will be held at the Lemoore campus.

WHCCD Chancellor Frank Gornick said the three candidates will be on campus for the September forums for one or more public events throughout the day, at times to be announced later.

West Hills College Lemoore is one of two colleges comprising the West Hills Community College District, which covers 3,400 square miles in parts of Kings, Fresno, Monterey, San Benito and Madera Counties.