With Cynthia Azari returning as interim president of Fresno City College on May 28, the State Center Community College District has begun the process of searching for a new chancellor and a permanent president of Fresno City College by seeking feedback from faculty, staff, administrators and students at all the campuses.

The State Center Community College District Board of Trustees confirmed Dr. Cynthia Azari’s appointment at its May 5 meeting.

Trustees Miguel Arias, Patrick Patterson and Eric Payne voted against the appointment while and Richard Caglia, Bobby Kahn, John Lean and Ron Nishinaka supported the appointment.
Azari, who was the first female president, led the college from January 2009 to April 2011 when she became president of Riverside Community College. She was later appointed interim chancellor for the Riverside Community College District. Before she became FCC, Azari was the vice chancellor for Workforce Development and Educational Services for the district.

“Dr. Azari has a wealth of of experience and I am looking forward to working with her,” said Bill Stewart, SCCCD Interim chancellor. “She was highly successful as president of Fresno City College, and she enjoys tremendous support on the campus and in the district.”

Forums are scheduled on each campus so stakeholders can identify the qualities they would like to see in the chancellor.

The chancellor forums will be held on May 13 at the Clovis Community College campus and on May 14 at Fresno City College, Reedley College, and the Madera and Oakhurst Centers.

Another forum to discuss the qualities of the future president will be held at FCC on May 14.

The board of trustees voted at its April 7 meeting to receive assistance from Educational Leadership Search group in its search for a new chancellor. All forums are scheduled for an hour and a half and will be moderated by an ELS representative.

Stewart, who was hired as interim chancellor on April 2, 2014 after former chancellor Deborah Blue retired, only planned to hold the position temporarily.