Citrus College Board of Trustees
Appoints New Superintendent/President  

The Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Geraldine M. Perri, Ph.D., has been appointed to serve as superintendent/president of Citrus College.

Dr. Perri’s employment was approved at a special meeting of the board of trustees held May 30. She will succeed current superintendent/president Michael J. Viera, Ph.D., who will be retiring at the end of the month after serving five years at the helm of Citrus College.

During her 27 years of experience in community college education, Dr. Perri worked as an administrator for 17 years and as an instructor for nearly a decade. Her past administrative positions include vice president of instruction at San Diego Mesa College from 1998 to 2001 and dean of instruction/career education at Mt. San Jacinto College in Riverside County from 1996 to 1998.

Most recently, she served as president of Cuyamaca College in El Cajon, Calif. During her tenure, Dr. Perri oversaw the implementation of the college’s educational and facilities master plans. She is also credited with advancing the growth and development of the college. In fact, under her leadership, the college witnessed its highest-ever student enrollment and was twice recognized by Community College Week as one of the fastest-growing mid-sized colleges in the nation.

A community college graduate herself, Dr. Perri holds an associate degree in dental hygiene from the City University of New York, Hostos Community College. She received her doctor of human and organizational development degree from Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, where she also earned a master’s degree in organizational development. In addition, Dr. Perri holds a master of health education degree and bachelor of science degree from New York University. She has completed Harvard University’s Institute for Management and Leadership in Education and Cornell University’s Community College Administrative Leadership Institute.

Throughout her long career in education, Dr. Perri has received awards and accolades from numerous organizations. Most recently, she was nominated for the San Diego Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business award, and has been nominated twice for the East County Chamber of Commerce’s Outstanding Women in Education award. Among her many honors, she also has been acknowledged by Cuyamaca College’s Academic and Classified Senates for her leadership and was commended for “building a culture of respect and willingness to listen and honor faculty and classified leadership” by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

“Under Dr. Perri’s direction, we believe Citrus College will build on our reputation for excellence and be well equipped to meet the many challenges that lie ahead,” Ortell said.

Dr. Perri’s tenure at Citrus College will commence on July 1, 2008.

The Citrus Community College District is located in Los Angeles County in the San Gabriel Valley city of Glendora and serves approximately 12,000 students each semester.