Three open forums were held at Bakersfield College to screen the top three candidates for the position of president of BC.
Question cards, biographies and evaluation forms were available to the audience.
According to librarian Marci Lingo, who is part of the selection committee, evaluation forms will be considered in the hiring process.
Afterward, Kern Community College District Chancellor Sandra Serrano and the Board of Trustees interviewed and deliberated on who would make an ideal BC president: Greg Chamberlain, Ronald Taylor or Marianne Tortorici.
Chamberlain, Taylor and Tortorici answered questions from the community at scheduled times April 21 and 22 before their closed sessions with Serrano and the Board.
“One of my goals is to open communications,” said Chamberlain.
Chamberlain, who is currently the vice chancellor of KCCD, specializing in educational services, has prior relations to BC.
Not only did he begin teaching computer studies at BC in 1989, he has been the director of academic computing, faculty chair for the computer studies department, director of instructional technology and the dean of learning resources and information technology.
According to Chamberlain, he has always moved into open positions as they became available. “I went where I could make a difference,” said Chamberlain.
Chamberlain is also aware of BC’s Renegade 2012 Plan, and he plans on completing the project, which will bring to fruition current BC President William Andrews’ ideas for the school.
However, Taylor and Tortorici also have extensive experience with community college atmospheres.
Taylor, who is currently vice president of academic services at Chabot College in Hayward, CA began teaching English and linguistics in Kyoto, Japan.
He has also taught at the University of Virginia, Santa Rosa Junior College and was dean of instruction at Reedley College.
“I see an incredible opportunity here,” said Taylor talking about why he wants to be president of BC.
According to Taylor, BC has an impact on the economy, “that attracts me as a leader.”
According to his biography found on the BC Web site, Taylor prides himself in being an active member of the community by expanding education off the campus and “working with diverse populations.”
Also, according to Taylor, he believes in shared governance and communication.
“I don’t bring a vision and simply implement it,” said Taylor. He believes that plans should begin with communication.
Tortorici, who is currently the deputy superintendent/executive vice president of instruction and student services at Victor Valley College in Victorville, also has experience in expanding education.
“My basic goal is to serve the community,” said Tortorici.
She has overseen and assisted constructions including a gymnasium, a performing arts theater, a $15 million dollar technology building and Web sites.
According to Tortorici, she does not have any pre-existing goals for BC other than to build communication to find out what would be the best for BC and the community.
“I think it’s critical to have a shared governance,” said Tortorici.
Along with her information technology background, she has served as radiology program director and faculty chairperson of the Radiological Sciences Department at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, dean of the school of science, nursing, health, and athletics as well as interim vice president of instruction at San Diego City College and interim vice president of instruction at San Diego Mesa College.