2008 Woodie Awards
Getting to know the new chancellor
Daniel Khan Ramirez
Issue date: 9/6/07 Section: News
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At the ripe age of 47 Joel L. Kinnamon became the district's chancellor in July after being named in May.
Besides being the youngest chancellor in the state, he's also the fourth chancellor to serve in the districts 18-year history.
Kinnamon replaces Susan Cota who retired after serving as District Chancellor for six years.
Before becoming chancellor, Kinnamon served the district as the vice chancellor of education services and planning, for five years.
Kinnamon continues to be involved in the responsibilities until the district finds another person to fill the position.
When Cota announced her retirement, the search began for a new chancellor, and so Kinnamon decided to run for chancellor.
He wrote via e-mail that running for chancellor wasn't a choice but felt that "… I need to step up and say I'll serve this district if the faculty, staff, administrators, students, and trustees will give me the opportunity." And now he has it.
Kinnamon said, meeting everyone and trying to reach out to the community is what he does a lot of. It's a task he takes seriously.
Dressed in a dark striped suit, Kinnamon braved the late August heat to meet the students, staff and faculty of Chabot College on Gladiator day. It's part of Kinnamon's "outreach" campaign, which he commented as being one of the most challenging and rewarding tasks of his new job.
On what his goals are for the district, Kinnamon said his focus is on, "How we [the district] can continue to support students, making sure they're successful."
It's a goal he wants everyone in the district to share.
In a letter addressed to the faculty and staff, Kinnamon wrote, "Our District is positioned to build on its current strengths and reputation for academic excellence."
He added "Student success is our greatest challenge but one we must continue to pursue."
He mentioned that he was thrilled and excited about his new position, when asked via e-mail of his age, he replied by mentioning that there were many chancellors who reached the same position at a much younger age than he has.
If Kinnamon appears modest, then it probably roots from his midwestern upbringing. He was born and raised in small community, just east of Oklahoma City.
His father worked at Tinker Air force Base, while his mom worked at the local University.
When he received his bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from Oklahoma State University, Kinnamon became the first in his family to graduate from college.
He then went on to get his master's with honors in business administration form Oklahoma City University, and finally received his doctorate in higher education administration from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Before coming to California, Kinnamon served various positions throughout the Oklahoma community college system.
Even though he has only been in the Bay Area a little over five years Kinnamon says, " I haven't found a place that has more excitement."
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