In nearly four years, Greg Chamberlain has experienced difficulties and triumphs as president of Bakersfield College, and now, having resigned from his position on Feb. 9, plans on bringing what he has learned into the classroom.

“In my professional career it’s a good time for me to step back and teach before I retire,” Chamberlain said. “Personally it’s a lot healthier for my family and I.

“Classroom teaching at the community college [level] is what I do best.”

Chamberlain notes many accomplishments during his tenure, including the implementation of the writing lab and other direct services for students.

He also is hopeful that the change he has brought to BC will help the relationship between administration and students.

“I think I’ve brought about, hopefully, transparency in the operations of what we do,” he said. “I hope that I increased campus-wide participation and understanding of the governance process.”

Chamberlain points to the ability to get through the recent economic downturn with “very limited impact on staff” as another one of his major accomplishments.

Chamberlain openly admits that he is relieved to relinquish his duties as president and is excited to take what he’s learned into the classroom.

“One of the things that I think I’ll take into the classroom is … that students are our students,” he said. “The students that walk through the door are the students we need to serve.

“It has truly helped me to see that there are so many amazing people at this institution. They work hard for our students.”

Chamberlain said that he will “absolutely” be at BC for the foreseeable future, saying,  “BC red is in my blood. I love it here.”

Chamberlain said that he will stay on as president for now, but that an interim president will be chosen shortly while a search for a permanent option is conducted. The search is expected to be finished by June 30, 2012.

“We held off the announcement, but we didn’t want to hold off long because we wanted there to be enough time to conduct a good search and develop a good transition,” he said.

The process plan of replacing Chamberlain is still being laid out between Chamberlain and Kern Community College District chancellor Sandra Serrano, and the final details are not set in stone.

As the first step of the process, an announcement of the opening will be sent out nationally, and then the “narrowing-down process” will commence, according to Chamberlain.

“That will follow the same process we have for all of our presidential,” Chamberlain said. “It will involve students, staff, faculty and administrators.” now, no candidates are being considered.

For what students and faculty think about Chamberlain’s resignation click here