Santa Monica College Executive Vice President Jeffrey Shimizu was appointed interim president of the university effective July 1, when President Chui Tsang retires, the college announced today.
Shimizu joined the college’s counseling department in 1985 and has held a number of administrative posts, including dean of counseling, athletic director, dean of instruction and vice president of academic affairs.
“Being here for many years has given me a chance to really learn and respect the inner workings of the college, its faculty, staff and students, Shimizu said.
The SMC Board of Trustees on Tuesday agreed to solicit bids for a consultant to assist with the search for a permanent college president. The board expects to appoint a new president by Jan. 1, 2016, according to the college.
Tsang, a Stanford University graduate, was hired as SMC president in December 2005. The college has about 33,000 students and 1,400 professors, and has had the most students transfer to University of California schools for 24 consecutive years.
