Chabot Spectator

Issue date: 3/22/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Matters, Marc

The opportunity for people to send in applications and resumes for district chancellor came to an end as of March 19, but the search for the most qualified person to take the place of Susan Cota has escalated to the next level.

According to the job search brochure, the ideal candidate will be required to possess, " An earned doctor or other terminal degree from an accredited institution; a dynamic record of achievement in a large complex organization that includes administrative experience in a community college, other postsecondary education institutions, and/or business, industry, government, and/or non-profit organization.

Successful teaching and/or counseling experience is highly desirable."

The new candidate has to understand the fundamentals of dealing with students. The students should be the main focus when it comes to applying for this job and student success should be the daily motivator for this individual. Providing adequate facilities, funding for activities, and maintaining the budget are just a few of the things required in this position.

Cota elaborated, "…They have to have a lot of energy and enthusiasm. This is a 24-7 type of job and you have to work well with people and like students. They have to realize that we are here to educate students while managing multiple colleges… patience is good."

Cota is currently salaried at $230,000 a year; this amount includes the 8 percent raise that faculty and staff received over the past year plus the cost of living raises she had received before the board of trustees decided to stop them.

The range of candidates is endless for the new incoming chancellor because everyone has a different background of knowledge.

The salary for the position is based on experience as well as the 10 Bay colleges; this means that it is decided by the college's size. The board of trustees uses these factors when resolving salary questions.

Not only has Cota changed the morale within the district, improving the situation and al-lowing people to feel respected, she has also played a very im-portant role in Measure B, al-lowing students to benefit from new facilities on campus and more, say her supporters.

Cota has a doctorate from the University of San Francisco, with a concentration in organization and leadership in higher education. "I've gotten the fiscal business of the district in order, we are no longer deficit spending and we're living within our budget, that is something that I am very proud of, because it took us a long time to get there," said Cota.

Cota started out as a vice-president at Las Positas; two years later she was president. After putting in 10 years at LPC she became chancellor where she has been working for the last six years. She has dedicated 31 years to students and community colleges. When asked to describe herself in three words she said, " ethical, kind and tough."

When asked what she is going to do immediately after she walks out the door, she said jokingly, "I am going to Disneyland." The new chancellor is supposed to take her place in July, allowing her to relax and see family. She has a few vacations planned, but the first place she is going is Southern California to see her family.

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