SAN BERNARDINO – Three higher education administrators from the Inland Empire have been named as finalists to become the 13th permanent president at San Bernardino Valley College. The three candidates appeared at an open forum last week organized by the SBVC Academic Senate. The candidates are:
Dr. Barbara Blanchard has been a part of the California Community College system for over 20 years. She began as an adjunct faculty teaching computer science courses at Palomar College and then moved into a full-time faculty position in the computer information science department at Solano Community College. Barbara served as dean of business, computer science and information technology at American River College for 13 years and served for approximately one year as the interim vice president of student services before moving to Grossmont College as the vice president of academic affairs.
Barbara served as the accreditation liaison officer at Grossmont College and as a volunteer for the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) on external site visits. She has also been involved in the strategic and educational master plan processes from development through implementation at both American River College and Grossmont College. Dr. Blanchard’s involvement in leadership development includes professional development and mentoring programs at the campus level and throughout the state as a coordinator of the mentor program of the Association of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA).
Barbara Blanchard received two bachelor’s degrees in science from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree in management information systems at the University of Arizona. She proceeded to earn a doctorate in education from the University of California, Davis, after defending a dissertation on the issues community college faculty face surrounding the increasing numbers of under-prepared students in the classroom.
Dr. Edward Bush has over 18 years of experience in higher education with 15 of those years with the Riverside Community College District. Dr. Bush currently serves as the vice president of student services for Riverside City College. He has served as an associate faculty member in student activities, director of the educational talent search federal TRIO grant, and dean of student services. In addition, he has served on numerous college and district-wide committees and has been active with several community organizations including serving on the board for two non-profit foundations. Dr. Bush has also worked as an adjunct instructor for the Graduate School of Education at the University of Redlands and Brandman University. Dr. Bush has taught courses in student development, organizational theory, and research.
Dr. Edward Bush is a published author with 8 peer reviewed publications and is the co-author of the recently released book The Plan: A Guide for Women Raising African American Boys from Conception to College. Dr. Bush is a sought-after speaker and has been an invited presenter at numerous conferences, including the National Association of Black School Educators, the National Association of African American Studies, the Institute for Race Relations, and the National Convening of Postsecondary Education Support Programs for Former Foster Youth.
Dr. Bush received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from University of California, Riverside, master’s degree in public administration from California State University, San Bernardino, and his doctorate in educational leadership from Claremont Graduate University. Dr. Bush and his family have been residents in the city of San Bernardino for over 18 years and have been active members of the community.
Dr. G.H. Javaheripour was appointed vice president of administrative services and campus business office at the Victor Valley Community College District in December of 2008. The District educates more than 14,000 credit and noncredit students. Dr. Javaheripour has guided the district’s finances by presenting balanced budgets and increasing reserves, while minimizing the effect of the funding reductions by the state.
Under his guidance, the district constructed a large facility dedicated to public safety programs, updated several aged facilities, and implemented large scale sustainability and energy production/conservation initiatives. As the result of these efforts, the California Community College Board of Governors has selected Victor Valley College as the recipient of the District Leadership in Energy and Sustainability award. Dr. Javaheripour has also been instrumental in updating the information technology and management information systems and infrastructure to improve service to students and instructional capacities at the college.
His career spans the academic, student services and administrative services arena. Celebrating his 34th year of service to public education, Dr. Javaheripour began his higher education career at the University of New Mexico. His community college career includes positions at Gallup Community College and Santa Fe Community College in New Mexico, and Chabot College and Victor Valley College in California. He has served at the policy level for the past 23 years and in executive capacities for the past 13 years. He received his bachelor’s of science degree in occupational education from Southern Illinois University, master’s degree in business administration from Webster University, and a doctorate of education from the University of New Mexico.