College Of The Desert Names Interim President

Press release from College of the Desert:

Jan. 29, 2021

The Desert Community College District Board of Trustees voted 5-0 to accept the unanimous recommendation of the College leadership team and offered Jeff Baker, Vice President of Student Services, the position of Interim Superintendent/President following the departure of Dr. Joel L. Kinnamon in March.

Baker joined the College in 2016 and has been a significant part of the College’s leadership team, including serving as the Interim Vice President of Student Learning and Interim Executive Vice President. He has almost 25 years of community college leadership experience and has previously held positions at Ohlone College, Las Positas College and Grossmont College.

Baker will lead the College while a search for a permanent replacement is made. By taking the interim position, he will not be eligible for the permanent post.

“A strong leader, Jeff has been a driving force in our award-winning student success initiatives,” said Dr. Kinnamon. “He assisted the College in stabilizing the institution and paving the way for significant changes in Counseling, Student Services, Enrollment Management, and Instruction, all of which resulted in greatly improved services and outcomes for students.”

The Board of Trustees is currently interviewing multiple executive leadership search firms and anticipates making a final selection later this month. Faculty, staff and students will play a key-role in the selection process during open forums and town-hall style meetings.

This press release was produced by College of the Desert. The views expressed here are the author's own.