UKIAH, Calif. – Mendocino College has a new interim college president/superintendent.
On Wednesday, May 2, the Mendocino-Lake Community College District Board of Trustees officially approved a contract for Dr. Roe Darnell to become interim superintendent/president.
Darnell succeeds Superintendent/President Kathy Lehner, who is leaving to take over the leadership of the College of the Redwoods in Eureka. Lehner was the sixth president at the college.
Darnell will serve in his interim position at Mendocino College until February 2013.
The board also approved a process for hiring a permanent superintendent/president at the May 2 meeting.
Before approving Darnell, the board recognized Lehner’s accomplishments during her six years as superintendent/president with a resolution highlighting her accomplishments.
The resolution mentions, among other achievements, her leadership in passing Measure W, which is allowing the college to build permanent facilities in Lakeport and Willits as well as a Library/Learning Center on the Ukiah Campus; her “outreach to the community and community relations”; her talent at “developing a unified team as well as building trust”; and her focus on student success during difficult budget times. Lehner was also praised for making the college a statewide leader in the accreditation process and positioning the institution as well-respected at the state level.
Dr. Darnell earned an Ed.D. from the University of La Verne, a master's degree in history from Pepperdine University and a bachelor's degree in history from Oklahoma Christian College.
He also has completed additional graduate courses at the University of Southern California in Higher Education Curriculum and Administration.
Most recently, Dr. Darnell was employed by the Yosemite Community College District. He retired in 2010 after serving as chancellor for three years.
Previously he was the superintendent/president for West Kern Community College District (2001-07) and President at Cerro Coso Community College (four years) where he also served as vice-president of instruction (14 years) and associate dean of instruction (four years).