Hartnell College Board Appoints Dr. Steven Crow as Interim Superintendent/President

The Hartnell Community College District Governing Board voted unanimously on Jan. 11 to appoint Dr. Steven Crow as interim superintendent/president, starting Jan. 15. Since January 2021, Dr. Crow has been Hartnell’s vice president for administrative services, responsible for district finances, facilities and emergency management. His 26-year career in college administration includes 15 years as a vice president at several California community colleges, beginning with leadership in information technology. Dr. Crow will serve as Hartnell’s top executive through June 30, while the district completes a national search for a new permanent superintendent/president. Dr. Raúl Rodríguez, who has held the interim position since July 2020, will become interim chancellor of the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District. “We are very pleased to have found the leadership we need at this time in house, and we know that Dr. Crow will step in to provide that steady support and leadership as we continue to advance the search for our new permanent president,” said Governing Board President Erica Padilla-Chavez. Dr. Crow said he is “excited and proud” to have the opportunity to continue his work at Hartnell in this expanded role. “I believe I speak for all of our employees when I say we are committed to continue putting students first and building upon the momentum we have achieved during this time of challenges and opportunities,” he said. Dr. Crow has been instrumental in supporting students during the pandemic, including providing each student enrolled in three or more course credits this spring with up to $550 for textbooks and campus dining purchases. He also has overseen the opening of Hartnell’s new education centers in Soledad and Castroville and the newly expanded center in King City. He is familiar with Monterey County and the Central Coast, having served as an interim vice president at Cabrillo College in 2019 and as vice president of administrative services at Monterey Peninsula College from 2015 to 2017. He also was vice president of business and financial affairs at Southwestern College in Chula Vista from 2012-15 and vice president of administrative and information services at College of the Siskiyous near Mt. Shasta from 2002-12. Dr. Crow has also taught numerous business and computer science courses during his career. Dr. Crow holds a Doctorate of Educational Leadership degree from the University of California, Davis; a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University; a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Prescott (Ariz.) College; and an Associate in Applied Science in computer information systems from Yavapai College. Governing Board members thanked Dr. Rodríguez for his service over the past 18 months, and he in turn thanked them for the opportunity to serve Hartnell’s students and the people of the Hartnell district. “I just want to thank the board, first of all, for allowing me this great opportunity. It’s really been one of the highlights of my lengthy career,” Dr. Rodríguez said. “Hartnell has, bar none, some of the best students I’ve ever seen, and it’s a credit to this college and the community and the work that’s going on here.”