Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

PCC board names interim president

Photos and story by James Hill

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Community College Board of Directors named Dr. Gerard “Jerry” Berger of Salem interim president of Portland Community College at the Thursday, June 19 board meeting. Berger served as president of Chemeketa Community College from 1993 until his retirement in 2001. The majority of his professional career has been at Chemeketa Community College, where he served in a variety of positions including dean of students, dean of college services, director of counseling and vice president.PCC Board Chair Doreen Margolin said, “Dr. Berger has many years of experience managing a large community college, and is a highly respected educational leader. The Board is very pleased that someone of his stature and experience is willing to help guide PCC through the next year as we search for a permanent president.” Berger is active in state and local community and civic organizations. Gov. Kulongoski recently nominated Berger to serve on the State Board of Education, a post that he hopes to again be considered for after completing his service at PCC. He has served as a member of the Enterprise Board for Workforce Development, the Salem Economic Development Corporation Board, the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the Salem Public Schools Advisory Committee. He currently is president of the board for the YMCA of Marion and Polk Counties, and is also on the board of Salem Electric Co. His wife Vicki Berger is the state representative from District 20 in Salem.The PCC Board appointed Berger to serve as interim president, starting Aug. 1, until a new president takes over.