PALM DESERT — It has long been said that it’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind, and Laura Hope has exercised her prerogative and changed her mind — again. She has officially applied for the permanent position of Superintendent/President of College of the Desert, Nicholas Robles, Interim Public Information Officer & Interim Director of Educational Partnerships, confirmed for Uken Report.
First, she was applying, then she wasn’t, and now she is.
“After much reflection and discussions with colleagues and members of the community, I decided to submit my application for the permanent position of Superintendent/President,” Hope said in a statement to Uken Report. “While my earlier decision was made with the best intentions for both the college and myself, I am driven to sustain and continue the momentum created through initiatives like the Power of Five, Roadrunner Express, and $5 Textbook Rentals, all of which reflect my focus on supporting student success and accessibility.
“The encouragement I have received and my continued work with this extraordinary community have reaffirmed my belief in the college’s future and my ability to contribute meaningfully to it.
“The most instrumental voice influencing my decision was Kaden Olson, President of the Associated Students of College of the Desert, who publicly expressed his support during the November Board meeting. In his remarks, Olson reflected on my leadership and consistent advocacy for student needs, noting the impact my tenure has had on the college community.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to compete for the role and remain focused on ensuring stability and progress during this transition.”
Hope’s decision follows public comments a major donor made during the November Board of Trustees. Diane Wendell said that although she and her husband Gerald have lived a long time in the Coachella Valley but really did not know anything about COD. At the invitation of Dr. Paul Hinkes, treasurer of the College of the Desert Foundation Board of Directors, the couple took a tour of the college.
Diane Wendell
The couple felt a “quick rise in passion and support” for the college due to meeting Laura Hope, Wendell said. The couple immediately wrote a $35,000 check for the college’s textbook program and to date has donated $85,000 to COD.
“We never felt a need to support COD before,” she said.
Wendell suggested that should Hope not get the job, the college could experience a loss of donations.
Hope also received support from Associated Students of College of the Desert, an active student government group.
The number of applicants for the leadership post is confidential as is with any other positions during the recruitment process, Robles said. The application period for full consideration has passed, however, people can still apply for the position.
“College of the Desert continues to prioritize transparency in the search for its next Superintendent/President,” Robles said. “Updates regarding the selection process will be shared as they become available and a comprehensive timeline of the process can be found at www.collegeofthedesert.edu/president.”
The Desert Community College District Board of Trustees in June 2023 voted 5-0 to offer then-Associate Superintendent of Instruction and Institutional Effectiveness at Chaffey Community College District, the position of Interim Superintendent/President of College of the Desert. She began July 1, 2023.
In June 2024, trustees unanimously approved hiring AGB Search to spearhead the effort to find the next permanent superintendent/president. AGB presented a timeline to the Board at an Aug. 16 meeting. The plan laid out deadlines for each step of the search to maintain transparency regarding the proceedings and to stay on schedule. According to these plans, a new Superintendent/President could be named by late February 2025.
From the outset, Hope was clear that she would apply for the permanent post.
Then, in a shocking move at the start of the September Board of Trustees meeting, Hope announced she would not apply for the permanent post. She gave no reason for her decision. At last month’s Borad of Trustees meeting, former Trustee Bea Gonalez said everyone at the dais knew why. She did not elaborate.
Now, she’s changed her mind and applied.
She has recently been named in at least two discrimination lawsuits that stem from her time at Chaffey College. Filing a lawsuit in and of itself means little. Anyone can file a lawsuit. Hope not been found guilty of any wrongdoing.
Image Sources
- Laura Hope: COD
