Search ends with no new head of Palomar College

It’s back to the drawing board in the search to find a new president and district superintendent at Palomar College.

The Palomar Community College District Governing Board had narrowed their search for a new superintendent/president to two candidates, but decided to end the search without making a hire at their Nov. 17 meeting.

Public forums were held to consider candidates Lynn Neault, vice chancellor of student services for the San Diego Community College District, and Gregory Anderson, the vice president of instruction at Cañada College in the Bay Area.

Neault has served as vice chancellor for the San Diego district for almost 25 years and is responsible for implementing new programs and services for student success, enrollment management, state reporting, compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, policy development, oversight of student records and management of the student information system.

She served as interim president of City College from 2013-14 and is a graduate of San Diego State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science, a master’s degree in public administration and a doctorate degree in educational leadership.

She has worked for the district since 1980 in a variety of positions.

Anderson’s duties at Cañada College include leading transfer, basic skills, career technical education, equity initiatives, online learning and academic support programs. He also serves as the Title IX coordinator at the college and served as a National Community College Scholar Fellow in Princeton, worked on Chancellor’s Office committees, and as a board member of various professional groups.

Besides voting to close the search process, the Board of Governors voted in close session to open a new search process soon. Their next board meeting is Dec. 8.

Former Superintendent/President Robert Deegan retired in June. Adrian Gonzales, originally hired as the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President for Student Services in 2013, has been serving as the interim head of the college and district.