Cerritos College Selects New Vice President of Academic Affairs

Dr. JoAnna Downey-Schilling has been selected as Vice President of Academic Affairs at Cerritos College. The Cerritos College Board of Trustees approved her contract at its March 21 meeting.

Interim Vice President Dr. Marilyn Brock will finish her contract at the end of June, and beginning July 1, Dr. Downey-Schilling will oversee the Academic Affairs Office and all of the instructional programs at Cerritos College.

Dr. Schilling is honored to be part of the team at Cerritos College and looks forward to building on the great work already being accomplished at the college.

"Nothing is more important than offering affordable educational opportunities to students at our community colleges," said Dr. Schilling. "I am committed to finding clear and innovative pathways to help our students succeed in their educational goals."

Since 2006, Dr. Downey-Schilling has served as Dean of Arts and Cultural Programs, Continuing and Contract Education, and Interim Vice President, Academic Affairs, all at Rio Hondo College. Prior to her time at Rio Hondo, she was Assistant Vice President of Student and Career Services at Corinthian Colleges, and taught theatre at UC Irvine, Riverside Community College, and South Coast Repertory Theatre, where she also worked in the education and literary departments. Her plays have been produced in Los Angeles, New York, Florida and Boston.

Dr. Downey-Schilling is the author of recent journal publications in Community College Enterprise and Management Learning, the author of three Dog Lover Companion books for Avalon Travel Publishing/Perseus Books and was a contributing editor for four years at Fancy Publications.

She has a Ph.D. in education from Oregon State University, an M.F.A. in playwriting from Carnegie Mellon University, and a B.A. in English from Smith College.

"We are very pleased to bring JoAnna on board in this very important position," said Cerritos College President/Superintendent Dr. Linda Lacy. "Her depth of experience in instructional programs and services will help us increase success for all students."

- Cerritos College Media Relations