NEWS

Chemeketa picks new president

Dr. Jessica Howard

The Chemeketa Community College Board of Education announced that Dr. Jessica Howard will become the school’s next president/CEO.

Dr. Howard will assume the postion on July 8 following the retirement of President Julie Huckestein, who took on the job in 2015.

Howard is currently the South East Campus president of Portland Community College, and previously served as the vice president of academic affairs at San Antonio College in San Antonio, Tx.

Howard earned a doctorate of philosophy in performance studies at New York University; a master’s and bachelor of music in music theory and bachelor’s of arts in English from Rice University in Houston; and an associate of arts from San Antonio College in San Antonio.

Board Chair Neva Hutchinson said, “Her proven leadership and personal dedication to student success, access and inclusion for all students, makes her (Dr. Howard) a perfect match for Chemeketa.”