Special Trustee Tom Henry Hired

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 13, 2009

Tom Henry Selected as Special Trustee at SCC

FAIRFIELD, CA – Solano Community College District has announced the hiring of Mr. Tom Henry, CEO/President of Education Management and Assistance Corporation (EdMAC), as their special trustee to advise and guide the governing board and administration in resolving issues related to accreditation (see blog below), fiscal stability, and operational practices.

Jack Scott, Chancellor of the California Community College system, recommended that the SCCD Board hire a special trustee during his presentation at their special Board meeting January 5th. The Board passed a resolution to that affect at their special January 7th meeting.

“We are very pleased Mr. Henry will be working with us to quickly address the serious issue we are facing,” states Dr. Lisa Waits, Interim Superintendent/President. “Mr. Henry’s expertise and experience, along with his success at Lassen and Compton Community Colleges, provides us with a much needed resource. This is a critical milestone on our path to recovery!”

The contract between Solano Community College District and EdMAC will be brought before the SCCD Governing Board for ratification at their regular January 21st meeting. Henry’s contract began January 8, 2009 for approximately 18 months at a cost of $200/hour. He is expected to be working at the Fairfield campus two to three days per week.

“I am pleased to be able to assist the Board, administration, faculty, staff and educational community with institutional leadership and recovery,” states Henry. “The students, faculty and staff deserve our best effort in restoring quality education.”

The Education and Assistance Corporation (EdMAC) provided the December 17, 2008 SCCD report “Administrative Review/Fiscal Health Analysis” requested by Dr. Lisa J. Waits, SCCD Superintendent/President. This report included a detailed review of the College’s administrative operations and fiscal health, and provided numerous recommendations.

Mr. Henry was appointed through legislation and the State Chancellor’s Office at Compton Community College and appointed at Lassen Community College through a “resolution agreement.” Mr. Henry was instrumental in maintaining a community college presence at Compton and moving Lassen Community College to recognized accreditation progress and status. He served on the Governor Schwarzenegger’s Advisory Committee on Education Excellence.

Solano Community College (SCC) serves approximately 20,000 students annually at their Fairfield campus and Vallejo and Vacaville Centers. Programs in biotechnology, nursing, early childhood education, speech and debate, and theatre have regional, statewide, and national reputations for excellence. Additional information about the college is online at http://www.solano.edu/.

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