President Fran White moves on from COM
Elisa Forsgren
Issue date: 2/8/10 Section: Features
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"Last month, I celebrated my 62 birthday and decided there are other things I want to do, including spending more time with my family and pursing other interests," White wrote.
College officials said the school's board of trustees is working with a search firm to find a replacement for the outgoing head of school.
"It's a great job, a great college, a great institution," White said of her position at the college during a recent interview. "The institution is stronger and better off now than when I came here and that makes me very happy. It will be these kinds of things that will attract top talent to the institution because the best and the brightest always look for institutions that are stable and now COM has been stabilized."
According to college officials, when White began her presidency in April 2004, the college was facing a plunging enrollment, a lack of educational planning, insufficient budget reserves, deferred maintenance and non-compliance with accrediting agency standards.
Under White's leadership, COM has made great progress, including passage of a major facilities bond, enrollment growth, and the full reaffirmation of the college's accreditation, college officials say.
"I'm very proud of all that we have accomplished together, particularly, the hard work of the faculty, classified staff, student, administrative and board leaders," White added. "All the people here who wanted to work toward accomplishing those things helped make it all achievable."
A 38-year veteran of the education system, White said she was ready for a change. "I have accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish here at COM and it's time to move on to bigger and better things, spend more time with my family and do what I want to do when I want to do it," she said with a smile. "After I leave I will do as little and as much as I want to."
White will continue her work San Francisco State University, where she helped found and now teaches a doctorial leadership program.
"The beauty of calling it retirement is that I can do as little or as much writing, traveling or consulting as I want to because I will be keeper of my own time. I'm looking forward to doing all of those things with great zest," said White.
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