West Hills Trustees pick Stuart Van Horn to replace longtime Chancellor Frank Gornick

That’s when Gornick, who has served the district for the past 23 years as the district’s president and then chancellor, will step down. Under his leadership, he has helped raise the district’s statewide and national profile by expanding into two separate comprehensive campuses, while at the same time creating local educational opportunities for thousands of students seeking a higher education.

“With all selection committees, there is a great deal of time and effort that is put forth by our colleagues, and for that we all want to say thanks and job well done,” said Gornick in his statement to the district’s staff. “To our board of trustees, your effort and commitment to this hiring process speaks volumes to all of us about how you value your role as a trustee and how you view the important work we do on behalf of students.”

Brenda Thames will become the next West Hills College Coalinga president.

Gornick added that during the next six months he and Van Horn will be working through a transition plan that preserves the continuity of leadership in the district while continuing the district’s success.

“Stuart is excited about his new challenge and is eager to begin working with all of you,” said Gornick.

In addition to the chancellor’s appointment, Gornick announced that the trustees also approved Brenda Thames as the new president of West Hills College Coalinga. She is currently the Vice President of Instruction at Modesto Junior College. Her official start is February 1.

Van Horn has a long history in higher education. He’s been with the West Hills District since 2013 where he has served as vice chancellor in charge of Educational Services and Workforce Development.

He was recently tapped to replace former Coalinga campus President Carole Goldsmith when she accepted the president’s job at Fresno City College earlier this year.

Prior to his arrival in Coalinga Van Horn was the dean of instruction at Folsom Lake College where he served for seven years.

Prior to entering the education field, Van Horn was a reporter and anchor at KRTV-3 from 1982 to 1984 in Great Falls, Montana.

Van Horn has a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Phoenix and a master’s degree in education from Azusa Pacific University.