The San Joaquin Delta College Board of Trustees has named Dr. Omid Pourzanjani and Brenda Thames as the two finalists for the District Superintendent/President position. The College’s hope is to announce the permanent Superintendent/President to replace Dr. Kathy Hart early this summer with a projected starting date for the new Superintendent/President before the beginning of Fall Semester 2019.
Here are the candidates:
Dr. Omid Pourzanjani
Dr. Pourzanjani has served students for over 35 years at various higher education institutions in California. He has held positions as Lecturer, Professor, Academic Senate Officer, Department Chair, Instructional Dean, CTE and Workforce Development Dean, Enrollment Management Dean, Accreditation Liaison Officer, Chief Student Services Officer, Chief Instructional Officer, and Visiting Vice Chancellor for the State Community College Chancellor’s office.
Concurrent to his work in higher education, Dr. Pourzanjani worked for 15 years in various executive leadership positions in high-tech private industry focusing on innovation, organizational efficiency, and effective budget management. Dr. Pourzanjani is a graduate of a California community college, holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Computer Science and Engineering, and a doctorate in Education from UCLA.
Brenda Thames
Brenda Thames has over 20 years of experience in instruction, student services, and administration in California Community Colleges. She has served in a broad spectrum of positions including adjunct Faculty, tenured Faculty, Faculty Coordinator, Department Chair, Program Director, Dean, Vice President of Student Services, and Vice President of Instruction. President Thames presently serves as the President of West Hills College Coalinga.
President Thames earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Sociology and Social Welfare from University of California, Berkeley, a Master of Arts degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California, and a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. She completed the Harvard University Institute for Educational Management as well as fellowships with the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and the UC Davis School of Education Center for Community College Leadership and Research. President Thames is a doctoral candidate in Education with a concentration in Community College Leadership at Oregon State University.
Campus forums
The candidates' complete bios will be posted on the Delta College website. The College will hold community forums for both candidates on June 10, with the first forum at 11 a.m. and the second forum at noon on the Delta College Stockton campus. The community forums will introduce the finalists, and allow employees and community members to ask questions.