LTCC Board Selects Jeff DeFranco as Superintendent/President
December 6, 2016
The Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) Board of Trustees announced at its Tuesday, December 6 meeting that it had selected Mr. Jeff DeFranco to serve as the college’s fifth superintendent/president. Mr. DeFranco has served as LTCC’s vice president of administrative services for the past four and a half years. He will begin in his new role in January 2017.
After the announcement of the selection, Board President Dr. Fritz Wenck said, “Having seen him in action for several years now, we all knew we couldn’t go wrong with Jeff. He’s a natural leader, and a decisive person without being heavy handed. He knows how to reach consensus and bring folks along with him.”
Mr. DeFranco will succeed Dr. Kindred Murillo, who has served as superintendent/president for nearly six years. During the time he has worked alongside Dr. Murillo, LTCC improved its financial status and passed the $55 million Measure F general obligation bond to improve and renovate campus facilities.
“I am honored and humbled by this opportunity,” said Mr. DeFranco. “I am so excited about the huge potential of this small college. Our core purpose is to serve our students, and I look forward to working with and supporting our excellent staff and faculty as we consider students and their needs in all decisions.”
Mr. DeFranco expressed his intent to lead a successful reaffirmation of the college’s accreditation, to construct the University Center and bring in key partners to provide advanced degrees to South Lake Tahoe, and to continue efforts to create a class schedule that improves student access and success while stabilizing enrollments at LTCC.
He also expressed his desire to continue presiding over the Measure F bond to improve campus facilities for the betterment of students and the community, and to ensure that promises made to the community are realized – a large part of his role at LTCC during the past two years.
Before joining LTCC in 2012, Mr. DeFranco worked for Springfield Public Schools, a K–12 district in Oregon, for nine years as a senior-level district administrator. A lifelong educator committed to supporting quality instructional programs and student success, he has worked in multiple educational settings including K-12, community college, and four-year institutions.
The selection of Mr. DeFranco was made following a nationwide search that began in August 2016 with more than 40 applicants vying for the position. Potential candidates were reviewed and interviewed by a screening committee made up of campus and community stakeholders. Four finalists were selected to participate in public forums and board interviews in November.
Mr. DeFranco is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in global leadership and change from Pepperdine University's Organizational Leadership Program. He earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University, Chico, and his master's degree in educational leadership with an emphasis in higher education administration from the University of Oregon. He also received a professional certificate from Stanford University in strategic decision and risk management.
Lake Tahoe Community College first opened in 1975. Approximately 3,000 students now attend the college each quarter. LTCC offers 31 associate degree options and 28 career and technical certificates ranging from the Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy program to offerings in allied health, business administration, commercial music, criminal justice, digital media, and wilderness education. In addition, the college also offers guaranteed transfer degrees that prepare students for admission to California State University programs.
For more information about the hiring of LTCC’s Superintendent/President, please contact LTCC Human Resources Director Shelley Hansen at (530) 541-4660 x 269, or send an email to hansens@ltcc.edu.