LTCC President Murillo not given Contra Costa job; Last day in Tahoe in February

Dr. Kindred Murillo was one of the top three finalists for Chancellor of the Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD), but during a special meeting on Friday, that job was given to the chancellor of University of Minnesota Crookston.

'I was honored to be a finalist, and I wish Dr. Fred Wood the very best," Murillo told South Tahoe Now.

Murillo told her Lake Tahoe Community College Board of Trustees in January, 2016 that she was planning to leave within 18 months due to a severe allergy to pine trees, something she was unaware of when arriving in South Lake Tahoe in 2011. At that time, she and the Trustees met to discuss an exit strategy as she wanted to leave the area before Spring, 2017.

Her last day should be February 1, 2017 if all goes as planned.

The search is now on for a new President at LTCC. It is expected the Board of Trustees will announce Murillo's replacement at their December 6, 2016 meeting.

“I have loved the work at LTCCD, the faculty, staff, board, LTCC Foundation board, and the community of South Lake Tahoe,” said Dr. Murillo at the time. “But when you are severely allergic to pine trees, sometimes you have to make tough choices.”

Before Minnesota,Dr. Wood had previously worked at University of California at Davis for 26 years, including as vice chancellor for student affairs between 2007 and 2012.

He earned his associate degree from Diablo Valley College, then his bachelor of science and doctorate degrees from UC Davis in chemistry.

"All three finalists demonstrated strong leadership skills," governing board president Vicki Gordon said in a statement. Beside Wood and Murillo, the other finalist was the CCCCD vice Chancellor Gene Huff.