This content was published: May 7, 2003. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
President Carreon finalist for Texas chancellor job
Photos and story by James Hill
PORTLAND, Ore. – Jesus “Jess” Carreon, president of Portland Community College, announced today that he is a finalist for and intends to accept the position of Chancellor of the Dallas (TX) County Community College District upon official action of the Dallas Board.
<“This was a very tough decision for me,” Carreon told the PCC Board at a meeting Tuesday. “My experiences at PCC have all been extremely positive. This institution is providing outstanding educational services to the people of our district, and it will continue to thrive into the future. Being President of PCC has opened many new doors for me and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve here.”Carreon added, “I was not in the market for a new job, but the offer from Dallas was a true once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I could not pass up.”The Dallas County Community College District is a nine-campus institution, which includes 7 independently accredited colleges as well as the R. Jan LeCroy Center for Educational Telecommunications and the Bill Priest Institute for Economic Development. It serves more than 200,000 students annually, and is the largest undergraduate college in the state of Texas. It is one of the nation’s top five community college systems, in size as well as in the depth and breadth of its curriculum. It is also one of the nation’s most diverse community college systems. “We are sorry to lose a person of Jess’ talents and caliber,” said Doreen Margolin, chair of the PCC Board. “He brought a renewed energy and focus on the community that has been very healthy for the college. He has guided us through some difficult budget decisions, and made a good start on our educational master plan.”“The Board understands that heading the Dallas system is an outstanding professional opportunity for Jess, and we wish him and his family the very best," Margolin added. Carreon thanked the Board for their support. “It has been an honor to serve as Portland Community College President. I have utmost respect for the dedication and talent of our faculty and staff, and I want to thank this entire community for the support I have received here.” Carreon has served as PCC President since July 2001. The PCC Board will discuss the process and procedures for replacing him over the next two months. Carreon expects to leave Portland in July or August.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »