Cabrillo College’s president search committee announced Tuesday it will recommend the governing board select Jenn Capps, a Cal Poly Humboldt administrator, for its next president.
The college’s governing board will vote whether to approve a tentative contract for Capps during its regular meeting on Jan. 12. If approved, her first day on the job would be Jan. 20. Cabrillo President Matt Wetstein is retiring Dec. 31, after serving as the college’s head for more than seven years. Retired assistant superintendent and vice president of instruction Kathie Welch will serve as the interim president.
Capps currently serves as the Cal Poly Humboldt provost and vice president of academic affairs.
Christina Cuevas, a board member on Cabrillo’s search committee, said the committee is “very excited” about their recommendation.
“Dr. Capps has proven experience leading innovative initiatives that have resulted in transformative changes for Cal Poly Humboldt,” Cuevas said in a statement. “We’re looking forward to having Dr. Capps lead Cabrillo into its next chapter.”
Over her five years at Cal Poly Humboldt, Capps secured a $458 million state investment that supported workforce-aligned academic programs and increased enrollment and also led efforts to earn a Seal of Excelencia – a national distinction for schools demonstrating they intentionally serve and improve outcomes for Latino students and all students.
Previously, Capps worked as the dean of the College of Professional Studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she taught criminal justice and criminology for 12 years.
“I am thrilled to join the Cabrillo College family,” Capps said in the statement. “I look forward to working with the Cabrillo team on continuing to further student success and develop innovative programs that will advance the College.”
Capps is a licensed professional counselor specializing in juvenile rehabilitation and crisis response and earned a doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Northern Colorado.
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