Cañada Announces Three Finalists for Presidency

Open Forums Will be Held Tuesday, Nov. 13 to Introduce the Finalists to the Community

Three finalists for the position of President at Cañada College will be introduced to the community at an open forum on Tuesday, Nov. 13. The forum will be held on campus, 4200 Farm Hill Blvd., Redwood City, in Building 6, Rooms 101-102 from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

 
The Open Forums will begin promptly at 1 p.m. and there will be short 15-minute breaks between each candidate. Following a short introduction, finalists will ask for questions. The community is encouraged to attend the forums and bring questions.

The finalists include:

Dr. Lisa Curtin – 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Dr. Curtin is the Director of Government and Military Education at San Diego Community College District where she has served for nine years.  Previously she was a Commander in the United States Navy working as the Deputy Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Executive Director of Programs at the Naval Postgraduate School (University) in Monterey, CA.  In addition, she previously worked as the Dean of Students and Student Services and the National Security Affairs Program Manager (Interim) at the Naval Postgraduate School, as well as Director, Student Administrative Services at the Nuclear Power School in Charleston, South Carolina.  Earlier in her career, she was an Assistant Professor at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and an adjunct faculty member with Troy University.  Dr. Curtin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Old Dominion University, a Master’s degree in Counseling from Troy University, and an Ed.D. in Educational Administration from Virginia Tech.

Dr. Christopher Villa – 2:15 to 3:15 p.m.

Dr. Villa is currently the Vice President of Student Services at Fresno City College where he has served for the past three years.  He previously held the position of Vice President of Student Services at Long Beach City College. Earlier in his career, he was the Assistant Vice President of Student Access and Support Services at California State University, Northridge, and the Associate Dean of Student Services at the College of the Canyons.  He also served in administrative positions at University of Utah, San Jose State University, Cal Poly Pomona, and California State University, San Bernardino.  Dr. Villa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Ecology from the University of California, Irvine, a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership & Policy from the University of Utah.

Dr. Lawrence Buckley – 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Dr. Buckley has served as the Interim President of San Bernardino Valley College since January 2012.  Prior to being asked to serve as the Interim President, Dr. Buckley was San Bernardino Valley College’s Vice President of Instruction for two years.  Earlier in his career, Dr. Buckley served as Vice President of Instruction at Fullerton College.  He also served as the Dean of Visual, Performing & Communication Arts at Chaffey College and as Dean of Instruction at Lake Tahoe Community College.  His career began as a history professor in the University of Hawaii system, and he later became a tenured faculty member and department chair at Feather River College.  Dr. Buckley holds a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in History, as well as a Ph.D. in History, from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.