After nine years in the role, the dean of social and behavioral science will leave the position to take over as the interim vice president of academic affairs.
Dana Hester was appointed as the interim vice president of academic affairs at the Aug. 16 Board of Trustees meeting.
Various Citrus College faculty and staff, including the Academic Affairs office and Superintendent/President Greg Schulz, have helped make for a smooth transition into the role, Hester said in an email.
The vice president of academic affairs helps manage class enrollment and plays a key role in whether a class will be online or in-person.
Hester said she plans to work in collaboration with her staff and student services to help students through course scheduling.
Hester will be the third different person handling these responsibilities in the last three months.
Hester began serving this role on Aug. 17. Vice President of Student Services Richard Rams was responsible for the position immediately after the resignation of previous Vice President of Academic Affairs Joumana McGowan.
Hester has a vote of confidence from the superintendent/president as she begins this responsibility.
“Dr. Hester is an experienced, knowledgeable and collaborative educational leader,” Schulz said. “I am confident that she will do an outstanding job as she works with faculty and staff in this interim role.”
The interim vice President of academic affairs also oversees the eight different academic deans at Citrus College.
Hester’s previous role as dean of social and behavioral science will be filled on an interim basis by Salima Allahbachayo, Hester said in an email on Aug. 24.
Allahbachayo started her career at Citrus College as a full-time faculty member in 2009 before becoming the director of health sciences in 2016.
A search committee is being formed to find a permanent candidate for the position, Schulz said, with the process planning to continue through the fall.
