Despite competition from three strong finalists, Laura Hope has been named the interim superintendent/president of the College of the Desert in Palm Desert, winning the board over with her track record of leadership, the college announced in a press release on Thursday.
Hope was offered the position with the unanimous support of the Desert Community College District Board of Trustees, the release said.
"Laura Hope enjoys a strong record of leadership success at Chaffey Community College District and in the California Community System, generally," Board Chair Bonnie Stefan, Ed.D., said in the release. "We are confident that she will continue the college's long tradition of helping students achieve their dreams."
Hope has the full support of the board, Stefan said, even though she faced some tough competition.
"We were pleased to meet four very strong finalists. I want to commend my fellow board members for coming together in support of Laura," she said. "The board looks forward to working with her for the future success of the district and its students."
Before this new job offer, Hope served as the associate superintendent of instruction and institutional effectiveness at Chaffey Community College District, where she has several innovations to her name. Hope stands out for spearheading Chaffey College programs like the Puente Project, Turning Point, an associate degree program in the California Institution for Women and the California Institution for Men, Chaffey's Success Center network, the Faculty Success Center and the Classified Success Network, the COD news release said.COD also expects to benefit from Hope's 34 years of experience in the California Community College System, which has encompassed working as a community college faculty member, academic dean, executive vice-chancellor and associate superintendent.