NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Yuba Community College District (YCCD) offers a warm welcome to Dr. Michael A. White, Ed.D, who has been selected to serve as Woodland Community College’s second president.

Dr. White’s name will be forwarded to the YCCD Governing Board for approval at its June 12 meeting. He will assume office on July 1.

Dr. Michael White is currently the vice president of student services at Reedley College in Reedley, Calif. Reedley College is part of the State Center Community College District in Fresno.

At Reedley College, Dr. White has served as the interim president; vice president of student services; department chair; faculty member; and coach.

“I am honored to serve the students, faculty, staff and community as president of Woodland Community College,” said Dr. White. “While my first task is to do a great deal of listening, of one thing I am already sure: Our college is committed to the student experience.”

He added, “Throughout my initial research into this opportunity and the selection process, a focus on high quality educational experiences for career technical education, associates-bound and transfer students was evident. I look forward to engaging our Woodland service area, Colusa County, and Yolo County stakeholders in continued partnerships benefiting some of California’s most underrepresented, yet deserving students.”

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Michael White join us as president of Woodland Community College. Dr. White's experience, energy, and leadership will enable us to continue moving forward as a college and as a community” said Gary Sandy, vice president of the Yuba Community College District Board of Trustees.

With a professional career spanning more than 30 years, Dr. White has instructional experience at the high school, community college and university levels.

He currently serves in a variety of leadership capacities at Reedley College and at State Center Community College District. He is the accreditation liaison officer, student success committee chair, strategic planning co-chair, and enrollment management chair.

As interim president, Dr. White led Reedley College’s efforts resulting in removal from warning status and reaffirmation of accreditation.

YCCD Chancellor Dr. Douglas B. Houston attributes the leadership and involvement of Woodland Community College’s faculty, staff and students in assisting with attracting and selecting such a highly-qualified campus leader.

Dr. White received his doctorate in educational leadership at California State University, Fresno. He graduated with distinction from the University of New Mexico with a master of science degree in physical education, and earned a Ryan secondary teaching credential and bachelor of arts degree from the University of California at Davis.

Dr. White also is a graduate of the prestigious Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) Institute.

The nationwide search for the Woodland Community College president began in February, after former President Angela Fairchilds accepted the position of president of Columbia College. Dr. Fairchilds was appointed to the Woodland Community College presidency in 2006 as the Yuba Community College District transitioned to a multi-college district.

“Dr. White will be a great fit for Woodland Community College,” said Chancellor Houston. “Not only is he eminently qualified; he has substantial experience in rural colleges and in serving the needs of an agricultural community.”

Dr. White is married with two daughters. His wife Ruth serves as a K-5 elementary school principal, their daughter Lauren directs fundraising projects for the Sacramento Region American Diabetes Association and their youngest daughter Hayley is a student at Reedley College.

Woodland Community College was accredited in 2008 as the the second community college in the Yuba Community College District and the 110 in the State of California.

The college has provided educational opportunities for students in Yolo and Colusa counties since 1975, and currently serves approximately 4,000 students. It is the only Hispanic Serving Institution in the Sacramento region, with 44 percent of its student population being of Latino descent.

Woodland Community College is part of a two-college district which covers 4,192 square miles and all or part of eight counties.