New President of Sierra College named

William "Willy" Duncan has been named president/superintendent of Sierra College, announced Board President Aaron Klein on Tuesday afternoon.Duncan, currently president of Taft College in California's Central Valley, will become the sixth president in the 75-year history of Sierra College on July 1. He is replacing Dr. Leo Chavez, who will retire at the end of June."The Board of Trustees is confident it has found a new president of energy, ideas and innovation in William Duncan, or Willy as he prefers to be called," Klein said. "Leo Chavez has led this college with incredible vision for the last five years and is leaving enormous shoes to fill. We are confident that our new president is up to the task of leading this institution in a time of tremendous change and innovation in higher education."After Chavez announced his intention to retire last year, the board of trustees undertook a nationwide search to find his replacement, Klein explained. A 23-member Presidential Search Advisory Committee was appointed to conduct the search. Members included trustees, President's Office staff, faculty, classified staff and administration at the college.Klein also acknowledged two community leaders – Ed Scovill from Nevada County and Robin Trimble, chief executive officer for the Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce – for their service on the committee.After evaluating 45 applicants, the committee forwarded six candidates to the board, who interviewed all six on May 3, unanimously voting in closed session Tuesday to approve Duncan's contract."I consider this an excellent opportunity," Duncan said. "I would like to thank the selection committee for the work that they did and for the board of trustees giving me this opportunity to lead Sierra College into the future. I appreciate what Sierra College has done. It has an excellent reputation for student success and student achievement."President/Superintendent Leo Chavez expressed his confidence in his replacement. "Before this idea of retirement was abstract. Now I no longer mind," he said. "I look at who I'm handing it over to and I feel much better about it. I know you're going to enjoy working with Willy."Turning to Duncan, Chavez said, "This is a wonderful group of people to work with. You won't find any better."As president/superintendent of the community college with a student body of 15,000 full-time students, Duncan will receive a base salary of $215,000 plus a $1,000 monthly expense allowance. The district will contribute $1,152.77 towards health care coverage. He will also receive a one-time allowance of $15,000 for moving expenses. Duncan has been employed in senior leadership positions at Taft College for 14 years, including overseeing the $110 million on-going campus facilities modernization.During his tenure as president and chief executive officer, Duncan has been particularly active in alternative resource development. Among Duncan's accomplishments, Klein said, was obtaining the largest grant in the entire country for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education ($5 million) and leading a groundbreaking effort to build an education pathway from Kindergarten through college. Duncan was also instrumental in building a national consortium to fund a $5million college program to help students with autism and intellectual disabilities transition into independent living.He has been active with the Rotary Club for 14 years, including serving as president.Duncan is a board member of the Taft Chamber of Commerce and the Taft College Foundation as well as active with many civic and community organizations, including the American Cancer society.He is also serving with the Association of California Community College Administrators and the Community College Consortium on Autism and Intellectual Disabilities.Born and raised in Bakersfield, Duncan attended California State University, Bakersfield earning a B.A. degree in business administration with a minor in communications and a masters' degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance.He and his wife, Melody, have three children: Joseph, 21, Nicholas, 19 and Natalie, 13._______William H. Duncan IVEmployment ContractEffective July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2015Base salary: $215,000Supplemental retirement: NoneExpense allowance: $1,000 per monthVehicle: NoneHealth care coverage: $1,152.77 district contributionOne-time allowance of $15,000 for moving expenses