Spotlight on Ohlone

Board selects Browning to lead Ohlone

By Tseten Dolkar, Staff writer.

Thursday, April 24, 2008 — Monitor.

Dr. Gari Browning.

The College Board of Trustees announced Dr. Gari Browning as its preferred selection for the next President of Ohlone College at last night’s Board meeting.

Browning, of College of the Desert (COD) in Palm Desert, was chosen over two other finalists, Dr. Cecilia Cervantes of College of Alameda and Dr. Laurence Spraggs of Broome Community College. The Board is offering a salary of $270,000, but Browning’s contract has yet to be finalized.

Board President Garrett Yee called the search for a new president a “great and difficult process.” Yee believed Browning’s experience with accreditation, research, budget and multiple education levels will keep the college moving forward and build upon current President Doug Treadway’s tenure here at Ohlone.

Treadway, who became president in 2003, will retire this June. His time at the college was marked by an increase in environmental awareness and resource sustainability, and his crowning achievement was the environmentally friendly Newark Center.

Assistant to the President Sarah Daniels expressed excitement over the decision and said this is a “wonderful opportunity for a fresh perspective.” Daniels added that “the college is in great shape because of [President Treadway’s] influence.” Daniels hopes Browning will bring the Board of Trustees and the college together to define and adhere to respective leadership roles, which is one of the recommendations made by the Accreditation Team during their March examination of Ohlone.

COD Vice President of Student Services Diane Ramirez said that Browning is a progressive thinker. During her time at COD, Browning established an extensive and in-depth priority process. This way, during budget cuts and financial crises, the college retains its priorities and objectives while looking for alternative ways to finance its needs.

COD Curriculum and Catalog Specialist Jojie Magbuhat described Browning as “very friendly and hardworking.” Magbuhat said Browning introduced in detail the workings of Student Learning Outcomes (SLO). SLO, a requirement by COD’s Accreditation Committee assesses the curriculum and determines whether any program improvements or reviews are needed. SLO is especially important for students, as it tests the students’ level of preparation for the outside world.

Also discussed during the meeting was the Frontage Property. Jim Eller of the San Jose-based firm Eller and Associates provided updates on his talks with developers. Eller said he met with prospective developers to ascertain levels of interest in the development, as well as to try to understand the developers’ issues and interests.

Board Member Nick Nardolillo said it was encouraging that even in today’s economy and mortgage industry, there are developers still interested in putting money into such a substantial development.

In an effort to minimize paper use, last night’s Board meeting was conducted using laptops from the Innovation Technology Center. Dean of Learning Resources and Academic Technology/Distance Education Lesley Buehler said it was to “encourage people to go green.”

The next Board of Trustees meeting will be May 7. Among the items to be discussed is the Technology Master Plan.

A biography of Dr. Gari Browning’s career history can be read at: www.ohlone.edu/org/president/search/finalistbio-browning.html.

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Related Links at Ohlone College

• President's Office
• Board of Trustees