College of Marin president set to retire in 2010

Thursday, November 19, 2009, 2:38 pm

By Jenna V. Loceff, Business Journal Staff Reporter

Dr. Frances White

MARIN — College of Marin Superintendent and President Dr. Frances White announced plans to retire June 30, 2010 in a letter addressed to the board of trustees.

“Some of you may know that I have been talking about retirement for some time,” said Dr. White. “Last month, I celebrated my 62nd birthday and decided there are other things I want to do, including spending more time with my family and pursuing other interests.”

Dr. White has served a total of 38 years in higher education, including two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Her administrative experience in community colleges covers a variety of roles, including serving as the executive vice chancellor for City College of San Francisco and the interim chancellor of the San Jose/Evergreen Community College District. Dr. White has also served as academic division dean at Evergreen College in San Jose and Laney College in Oakland.

Prior to her appointment at College of Marin, she served five years as president of Skyline College in San Bruno.

At the time that Dr. White began her tenure at College of Marin in April 2004, the college had been plagued by a number of serious issues, including plunging enrollment, lack of educational planning, insufficient budget reserves, deferred maintenance and non-compliance with accrediting agency standards.

Under Dr. White’s leadership, the College of Marin has made significant progress in reversing those trends, including ensuring a healthy budget reserve of 12 percent, passage of a major facilities bond, enrollment growth, and the full reaffirmation of the college’s accreditation.

“As the Superintendent/President, I have achieved most of my goals to improve the institution. … I know that I have given the College of Marin my best thinking, judgment, professional expertise, advice, and leadership. 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,” said Dr. White.