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Dr. Joel Kinnamon began his duties as Superintendent/President of College of the Desert this week.
07/10/2012

Dr. Joel Kinnamon officially began his duties this week as the seventh Superintendent/President of College of the Desert and Desert Community College District.

Dr. Kinnamon previously served as Chancellor of Chabot-Las Positas Community College District, which operates Chabot College in Hayward and Las Positas College in Livermore. The two colleges together serve more than 25,000 students in the San Francisco East Bay Area.

His appointment as the college’s new president was announced in May. He replaces Jerry Patton who retired June 30.

“I’m excited to be joining College of the Desert,” Dr. Kinnamon said. “I’m looking forward to working with the board, faculty and staff to continue providing exceptional learning experiences for all of our students.”

Having earned his doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Nova Southeastern University in Florida, Dr. Kinnamon also served as Provost at the Tulsa Community College Southwest campus, and as a Business professor at Oklahoma City Community College.

Kinnamon will reside in Palm Springs.

“I’m honored to be selected by the Board of Trustees to lead College of the Desert,” Dr. Kinnamon said. “These are challenging and exciting times for all of us in higher education. In the Coachella Valley growth and economic development will continue to require innovative thinking and new approaches to meet increasing demands for education, training and lifelong learning. COD is well positioned to respond.”

“It is exciting to work for an organization that is so well regarded by the community and that enjoys tremendous financial support from our Alumni Association and our donors through the Foundation.”