Coast Community College District Chancellor John Weispfenning announced his retirement effective September 1, 2022. The announcement was made during the Coast District Board of Trustees meeting of December 8, 2021.
"At the Coast District, I have the honor of working with some of the most talented and dedicated individuals in education," Chancellor Weispfenning said. "These past two years in particular required all of us to give everything we have to our students and their success."
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From an assistant professorship at University of Maine in 1992, Weispfenning advanced through the academic ranks. In 2007, he arrived in Orange County as an educational administrator. He later served as vice president of instruction at Orange Coast College and president of Santiago Canyon College before becoming Coast District chancellor in July of 2016.
During Weispfenning's administration, the Coast District's three colleges – Coastline College, Golden West College, and Orange Coast College – were transformed by the $698 million Measure M community bond program passed by local voters. The development of the Vision 2030 strategic facilities plan will provide a roadmap to maintain these world-class colleges for future generations.
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The Coast District continues to rank among California's most successful districts in completion and transfer rates, despite the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. New programs and reimagined offerings are addressing urgent economic and social needs. In particular, the Coast District is making significant progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that reduce barriers to success while broadening access to opportunity.
"Chancellor Weispfenning recognizes to his core that the strength of our region, indeed our state and nation, begins with education," said Board of Trustees President Jim Moreno. "John leads from a position of trust, care, and compassion – allowing those around him to share in a common purpose and achieve great things together."
The Board of Trustees plans to begin a national search immediately, working with Dr. Erlinda Martinez of Community College Search Services to identify the next chancellor who will continue the Coast Community College District's positive trajectory.
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ABOUT THE COAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
The Coast Community College District is located in Orange County and is among the largest districts in the United States. The District's three colleges – Coastline College, Golden West College, and Orange Coast College – provide traditional degree and transfer opportunities, career and technical training, basic skills, English as a Second Language, and other community programs. Thanks to the Measure M community bond funding approved by voters in 2012, the Coast Colleges are in the midst of a $698 million revitalization of educational and student support infrastructure.
Original Source: Coast Community College District