Three vie for top Cuesta College post

More photos: Click thumbnails to enlarge

Similar stories:

• Special report: Cuesta College’s accreditation crisis

  Special report: Cuesta College’s accreditation crisis

  Cuesta College finds itself fighting to keep its accreditation because of years of volatile leadership, which resulted in a lack of high-level attention just as the standards got tougher. That’s the conclusion drawn from interviews with more than a dozen past and present college administrators, faculty and staff.

• Grace Mitchell, former Cuesta College president, dies at 78

  Grace Mitchell, former Cuesta College president, dies at 78

  Grace N. Mitchell, Cuesta College’s president from 1989 to 1999, died March 19 after a period of failing health. She was 78.

  Known for her sharp academic mind, results-driven organizational skills, a warm smile and sense of humor, Mitchell succeeded Frank Martinez as the college’s third president-superintendent.

  During her tenure, she oversaw growth in Cuesta College’s enrollment from about 7,500 to more than 9,100, a staffing increase from 260 to 400 and a rise in the college’s annual budget from $20 million to about $35 million.

• Cuesta College could be closed if accreditation requirements aren't met by November

  Cuesta College could be closed if accreditation requirements aren't met by November

  Cuesta College has until November to fix problems noted by the agency responsible for accrediting community colleges or it will lose its accreditation and possibly face closure, school officials announced Monday.

  The college must improve in three key areas — planning and assessment, technology resources, and financial planning and stability — or its accreditation will be revoked.

  It must also make preparations for closure, as required by the commission, should the college fail to meet the requirements. In that process, the dissolution of the college and its resources will be explored, Cuesta President Gil Stork said.

• Consultant is next step in Cuesta College accreditation crisis

  Consultant is next step in Cuesta College accreditation crisis

  Cuesta College administrators have hired a consultant to pinpoint exactly where they are falling short in meeting the necessary requirements for accreditation.

  The college was notified last week that it needs to fix insufficiencies in three key areas: planning and assessment, technology resources, and financial planning and stability. Otherwise, its accreditation will be revoked, and Cuesta will face possible closure.

  Following the news, college officials spent the week at a dizzying pace assuring employees and students that resolving the problems was their sole priority and that the school remains accredited despite the recent sanction.

• Cuesta cuts 2 positions from disability program

  Cuesta cuts 2 positions from disability program

  The Cuesta College Board of Trustees voted 4-0 to cut two teaching positions Wednesday in an unprecedented move the likes of which has never occurred in the college’s history.

  President Pat Mullen was absent.

  The cut was made despite more than a dozen passionate pleas from staff, students and concerned community members.