Dr. Helen Spencer has been tapped to lead Contra Costa College into the next millennium. Following a nationwide search, district leaders have chosen from within to head the troubled college.
Dr. Helen Spencer has been tapped to lead Contra Costa College into the next millennium. Following a nationwide search, district leaders have chosen from within to head the troubled college.
After leading the college for almost a year as interim president due to the forced resignation of former college president D. Candy Rose at the end of the 1997 school year, Spencer has won the top spot securing her future with the college.
Rose was forced to resign the from the position she held at the college for 14 years after pleading no contest to charges of using her position to "influence a governmental decision that had a material or financial effect on her family."
We're all part of Chuck's family
Rose was the last college president not hand picked by Chancellor Chuck Spence to lead each of the districts three colleges. Even following her legal problems Rose was still popular within the college community. Many were even disturbed when Spencer while acting as interim college president parked in Rose's parking spot.
Spencer however has broad support from the district and chancellor Spence all of who feel the need to move beyond today's troubles. Spencer made her CCCCD debut as dean of language arts and humanities at Los Medanos College in 1990. She was named vice-chancellor of the district in 1992 and also served as interim president of LMC in 1995.
Loads of experience
Spencer has been in the education field for 27 years and will make $125,000 per year. Spencer is honored by the confidence the district has placed in her but sees hard times ahead. "I am humbled by this and it puts a tremendous weight on me, but I will do everything I can to live up to the confidence they've shown in me," says Spencer.