Butte College Names Interim President

By action of the Butte College Board of Trustees at a special meeting earlier today, Dr. Samia Yaqub has been named interim Superintendent/President, effective July 1, 2015.

Yaqub previously served as the Vice President for Student Learning and Economic Development at Butte College since 2011.

"Dr. Yaqub was the perfect choice to fill the interim role as President. She knows Butte College well along with our mission, vision, and core values. This allows the college to continue its mission and goals during our search for a college president," said Fred Perez, President, Butte College Board of Trustees.

Perez stated that Yaqub will serve in the role until a permanent successor is hired.

"We're very fortunate to have her leadership among us during this transitional time," Perez added.

Dr. Kimberly Perry resigned her position to serve as the next president of Bellingham Technical College in Washington and assumes her presidency on July 20. She served as the President of Butte College since 2011.

"I'm honored to serve the College as interim President," said Yaqub. "Butte College's educational programs are stellar and its role in the community is vital. The College has a faculty and staff second to none."

Yaqub has provided leadership for academic programs, services, and resources, as well as economic and workforce development programs at Butte College in her role as Vice President. Prior to that time Yaqub served as a Butte College Dean for 10 years, more recent as the Dean of Language Arts and Humanities from 2007-2011 and earlier as the Dean of Instruction, Transfer and General Education from 2003-2007. She also was the Assistant Dean of Instruction, Transfer and General Education from 2001-2003, and served as Chair of the Language Education and Development (LEAD) Department from 1995-2001. Yaqub also served as a Butte College instructor for developmental reading, writing and English as a Second Language (ESL) from 1989-2001.

Yaqub received her doctorate in education with an emphasis on Community College Leadership from Oregon State University. She also holds a master's degree in English from CSU, Chico and a bachelor's degree in English from UC Davis.

She earned the "Dissertation of the Year" award in 2011 from the Research and Planning Group. Her dissertation, "Latina Student Perceptions of Learning Communities," explored whether a well-structured learning community experience provides Latina students with the type of learning environment that fits their academic and social needs. She also identified those experiences in learning community courses that had the greatest impact on their learning. She was also named Butte College Faculty Member of the Year in 2000.

Yaqub currently serves on the board of directors for the Inspire School of Arts and Sciences and serves as an advisory board member of the California Writing Project, and is a member of the Association for California Community College Administrators Mentor Program Team. Yaqub previously served on the board of directors for the Association of California Community College Administrators, and co-chaired the Association of California Community College Administrators Mentor Program.