Cabrillo College on Tuesday named the candidate they hope will take the helm as president and Superintendent.
If approved by the college’s Board of Trustees on Jan. 12, Jenn Capps will start on Jan. 20, the college announced in a press release.
Capps currently serves as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Cal Poly Humboldt.
“The Superintendent/President Search Committee is very excited about the recommendation of Dr. Jenn Capps to be Cabrillo’s next Superintendent and President,” said Christina Cuevas, Immediate Past Chair of the Cabrillo College Governing Board and Chair of the Superintendent/President Search Committee.
Cuevas said that Capps in her current role developed partnerships with tribal nations, which led to the incorporation of traditional ecological knowledge and sustainability throughout the curriculum.
She also worked to advance workforce development programs, Cuevas said.
“We’re looking forward to having Dr. Capps lead Cabrillo into its next chapter,” she said.
Capps co-led the self-study that established Humboldt as California State University’s third polytechnic university, and helped secure a historic $458 million state investment that expanded workforce-aligned academic programs, increased enrollment, and enhanced student success, the press release said.
She previously served as Dean of the College of Professional Studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
She holds degrees in counseling psychology, is a licensed professional counselor and specializes in juvenile rehabilitation and crisis response.
“I am thrilled to join the Cabrillo College family,” Capps. said. “I want to express my gratitude to the search committee and the Board of Trustees for their work in the search process. During my interview process I had the good fortune to meet many inspiring faculty, staff, and students confirming what an incredible place Cabrillo College is. I look forward to working with the Cabrillo team on continuing to further student success and develop innovative programs that will advance the College.”
Capps beat out three other finalists, including Cabrillo’s Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Instruction Travaris Harris, former Chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College Tia Robinson-Cooper and Santa Barbara City Assistant Superintendent College María Villagómez.
