After an extensive national search, the Board of Governors of California have chosen Sen. Jack Scott to be the 14th chancellor of the California Community College system, the largest system of higher education in the entire nation. It includes 72 districts and 110 colleges with more than 2.6 million students enrolled per year.
“We’re excited to have him,” said Greg Chamberlain, president of Bakersfield College. “He has an extensive background in the college system.”
Scott spent 23 years working in community colleges before being elected to the state legislature where he signed 86 bills in the Senate that were signed into law.
According to a press release, Scott was quoted as saying, “The future of our state economy and even the California dream are tied to increasing the number of Californians who both enter and complete their college education. That is why the community colleges are so important. They can provide California a competitive edge in the global economy.”
Scott will begin his new role as chancellor on Jan. 1, 2009 after completing his Senate term.