College of the Desert’s New Superintendent/President Could Take the Helm in Early 2025 [SPONSORED]

College of the Desert’s (COD) Board of Trustees unanimously approved the decision to begin searching for the District’s next Superintendent/President, which could be chosen as soon as February 2025.

Just as the shortened days initiate the beginning of fall, the Board of Trustees has initiated the beginning stages of the recruitment process.

A timeline was presented to the Board by AGB Search, LLC, the firm handling the recruitment efforts, at a recent meeting held on August 16. 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 selected by late February 2025.

The plan heavily emphasizes the need for community input and communication through means such as surveys, the first of which was released in the last week of August. This survey, which will run until September 5, seeks to collect information about the public’s expectations and desires for the next Superintendent/President. AGB Search and the COD Search Committee will utilize the survey feedback, as well as data collected from two listening sessions that will be held on September 4 and 5, to evaluate potential applicants.

The Board of Trustees, the College and AGB Search are maintaining transparency by involving Coachella Valley residents throughout this process. The College’s motto “Your Community, Your College” is a key reminder during the selection process as the person who is chosen for this critical role impacts not only College of the Desert but also the entirety of the Coachella Valley.

College of the Desert is an important pillar of the community and plays a vital role by educating and training future employees to fill local workforce needs and providing disadvantaged community members an avenue for upward mobility. Whoever ultimately steps into this new role needs to embody this sentiment, while continuing to drive the College and community forward.

AGB Search will begin the recruitment process next month, with full considerations available until November 18. The committee will begin selecting candidates in December before sending a small group of finalists before the Board of Trustees in early February for a decision.

Until a new candidate is selected, Interim Superintendent/President Laura Hope, who has held the position since July 2023, will continue her duties. Hope intends to apply for the permanent role. While College of the Desert is eager to begin a new chapter in 2025, it will take the necessary steps to gather community input, establish priorities, and thoroughly consider applicants before announcing its new leader next year.

Learn more about the upcoming search by visiting https://www.collegeofthedesert.edu/president/.

Image Sources

  • College of the Desert: COD