Robertson To Leave SMC In January

Donner to serve as acting president

   Last Wednesday, November 17, Santa Monica College President Dr. Piedad F. Robertson announced that she was leaving the community college to become President of the Education Commission of the States (ECS), a national education policy organization. Her resignation is effective January 31, 2005.
   She said she had advised the SMC Board of Trustees to appoint SMC Executive Vice President of Business and Administration Tom Donner to serve as acting president until her replacement is selected. (See story, page 9).
   "This is a bittersweet moment for me," Robertson said. "I am immensely proud of this outstanding institution's many achievements and of the role I played in moving it forward. I will miss my colleagues and many good friends at the college. At the same time, I am excited about the opportunities at ECS to have an impact on educational policy - from Kindergarten through university - at a national level."
   "SMC is losing a great leader whose courage and vision have pushed this college to new heights," said SMC Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Margaret Quiñones. "We wish Dr. Robertson well and we know that she will help shape national education policy as brilliantly as she shaped our college. Among her many legacies here - which have all been driven by her love for students - will be her success in getting greater equity in funding for community colleges. Piedad is the alma and córazon of SMC."
   Robertson will succeed Ted Sanders, who has been ECS president since February 2000. The Denver-based Commission, currently chaired by Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that was created in 1965 to improve public education by facilitating the exchange of information, ideas and experiences among state policy makers and education leaders.
   "After a thorough and exhaustive search, and after considering dozens of very qualified, exceptional prospects, the committee concurred enthusiastically that Dr. Robertson brought a unique blend of experience at both the state and local levels in all phases of education from preschool to higher education," Huckabee said.
   The committee was also impressed, Huckabee said, that Robertson has worked with both political parties and is "more interested in getting the job done than in ideology."
   In her nearly decade-long run at SMC, Robertson oversaw dramatic, sometimes tumultuous changes at the college, as well as making a name for herself at the state level.
   In 2003, she was appointed to Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Transition Committee, and was named special advisor to California Secretary of Education Richard Riordan.
   "I consider Dr. Robertson to be both my friend and mentor," Riordan said. "I am certain the students and community of Santa Monica City College will miss her greatly. However, she will now be able to serve our nation with her passion for education and compassion for all students."
   During Robertson’s tenure, the college has grown significantly. More than 160 new full-time, tenure-track faculty members have been added. College District voters approved two bond measures – one in March, 2002 and another earlier this month -- totaling $295 million that will underwrite new facilities and safety and modernization projects. The college also purchased the 10-acre BAE Systems property at Santa Monica Airport, which will become another satellite campus next year.
   She also oversaw the creation of the SMC Academy of Entertainment and Technology, which prepares students for jobs in the entertainment industry, particularly digital animation and new media, and expanded workforce and economic development programs in such fields as nursing, education, and apparel.
   The $23 million library expansion and modernization, the new $35 million Science Complex and the upcoming the Madison Theatre Project, a 500-seat arts and education facility (see related story, page XX) are also products of the Robertson era.
   In recent years, however, she has been at increasing odds with both the SMC faculty and classified employees, as well as some students, for eliminating a number of vocational programs, radically reducing the number of class sections, and laying off teachers and other employees. The schism was expressed dramatically when 86 percent of the faculty and employees voted No Confidence in her last spring. The cuts led to a dramatic drop in enrollment, triggering a $150,000-plus ad campaign over the summer to attract new students.
   The recenr rapid growth of the college disturbed college neighbors in Sunset Park, who were beset by ever-increasing traffic and parking problems, and criticized Robertson’s administration for its seeming indifference to SMC’s negative impacts on the neighborhood.
   In the recent election, the faculty endorsed a slate of candidates for the board whom they believed would represent the entire college community, not just the administration. Two of the three candidates won seats on the board.
   Robertson is one of seven members of the Gates Millennium Scholars Program Advisory Council that oversees the $1 billion scholarship endowment created in 1999 by Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
   Though ECS is based in Denver, Robertson and her husband Bill Robertson will keep their home in Santa Monica and continue to be residents of the city.
   Before coming to Santa Monica College, Robertson was Massachusetts Secretary of Education for four years. Prior to that, she was President of Bunker Hill Community College from 1988 to 1991. A native of Cuba, Dr. Robertson received her B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Miami and was awarded an Ed.D. from Florida Atlantic University.
   With a staff of 51 and an annual budget of $11 million to $13 million, ECS’s primary purpose is to help states improve their schools and colleges.
   The complete text of Robertson’s letter of resignation follows:
  
   Dear Board of Trustees,
   I am honored to announce that I have accepted the position of the President of the Education Commission of the States. ECS is a national education policy organization established by governors, education legislators and leaders of each state. I will be stepping down as President/Superintendent of Santa Monica College and retire Jan. 31, 2005.
   For almost 10 years, it has been my privilege to serve the students of this institution. They have never disappointed me. It has been my pleasure to work with a Board of Trustees that has always thought of this institution first and their own personal political views last. Above all, I have had an incredible team of managers. Thank you for making me look good. The college has a dedicated faculty; they challenge our students to do better. The classified staff has shown a commitment to this college in carrying out their responsibilities and pride in their work - whether it's our police and parking security officers, secretarial staff, groundskeepers, custodians, information technology staff, lab technicians or the many other employees.
   It is the people of SMC that have ensured that the college has a very special place in the community. It is the people of SMC who have ensured that the college and community are one.
   I will miss my time with you, but I know that the work done thus far will not be stopped. The achievements have been many. At the state level, equalization brought us stability. At the campus level, construction activity has been fast and furious. Out of the rubble of the earthquake, we created an aggressive facilities plan - the Science Building, Library, Main Stage, new parking structure and the soon-to-be-constructed Liberal Arts Building. To manage growth and create new opportunities for our students, we opened the Academy of Entertainment & Technology, Bundy Campus and Emeritus College - and the soon-to-be-built Madison complex.
   We lobbied Washington and Sacramento successfully for grant dollars. We passed two facilities bonds. We maintained our spot as No. 1 transfer institution to the University of California and USC. We built a thriving online education program. We have responded to the needs or the regional economy and workforce by training teachers, nurses, business people, computer specialists and more. We hired more than 160 new full-time, tenure-track faculty members who make up about 45 percent of the current full-time professor ranks.
   We are the best. But it takes effort and commitment to maintain this momentum. I believe the SMC community can complete the task. My husband and I have our home and we will remain residents of Santa Monica. And my heart will always be at Santa Monica College.
   Sincerely,
   Piedad Robertson