College district names third interim chancellor

The Coast Community College District has announced its third interim chancellor since its last permanent chancellor resigned in August.

Former Orange Coast College President Gene Farrell was approved unanimously by the district board of trustees and will begin work on July 1. He is replacing Richard Jones, who has served as interim chancellor since March and will leave the job on Tuesday, according to a news release.

“Mr. Farrell has extensive experience in higher education, especially with community colleges and we are pleased he has accepted this interim position,” board President Lorraine Prinsky said in the release. “Having spent much of his educational career at Coast colleges as a faculty member and administrator, we are confident he will be able to effectively lead the Coast district as we continue the search for a permanent chancellor.”

The district has been without a permanent chancellor since Andrew Jones resigned Aug. 13, giving the district two days’ notice.

A national search for a chancellor had been conducted but following interviews with several candidates, the board decided in early June to conclude the search and begin a new one in September.

Farrell has more than 40 years of experience in education, most of which were spent with the district.

He started his educational career as an instructor and moved into a dean position at Orange Coast College. From there, he served as the vice chancellor of administrative services for the Coast district and was president of OCC from 2003 to 2005.

More recently, Farrell served as an advisor to the Cordoba Corporation, a firm in specializing in education, transportation, water and energy.

—Kristina Pritchett