Dr. Joan Smith's Home Page

Columbia College President

Brief Biography

Dr. Joan Smith joined Columbia College in January 2007. She comes to the Columbia with an extensive background in community colleges. The positions held by Dr. Smith throughout her career have allowed her to gain excellent instruction, student services and administrative experience. Dr. Smith served as Executive Vice President at Ventura College from 2002 to 2007. She was previously the Dean of Business, Industry, Technology and Off-Campus Programs at Ventura College from 2000-2002. Prior to that she held various positions at Oxnard College in Oxnard, California for a period of 20 years. Her most recent position at Oxnard, from 1997 to 2000, was as Dean of Institutional and Student Services. She began at Oxnard College as an instructor/counselor from 1980 to 1992 then held several administrative positions. Dr. Smith is a proven leader in instruction, student services and economic development.

Photo of Dr. Joan Smith, President of Columbia College

Employed by YCCD since 2007

Degrees

Ed.D. in Higher Education,
Nova (Southeastern)
University in Florida

M.S. in Vocational Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-Stout

B.S. in Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology,
University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point

Contact Information

Office: Manzanita Bldg.
by appointment

Phone: (209) 588-5115
Email: smithj@yosemite.edu

Welcome To Columbia College!

WE WELCOME YOU to Columbia college this spring and wish you a great semester of learning and growing!
     In 2008, Columbia College is reaching an important pinnacle in our history, of which you, as present students, will play a role and will benefit. As we celebrate our 40th anniversary in the coming months, the campus will be building new facilities and improving older infrastructure. Measure E funds are enabling us to construct a new child Development Center and an automotive technology building, as well as a science and natural resources building. In addition, plans are underway for a new Public Safety Center.
     We anticipate having a stronger distance education program within the next few years to reach a broader base of students, especially those who reside too far from the campus to commute.
     As always, we encourage and work at developing collaborative partnerships with individuals and businesses in the area to offer more programs and services. These efforts are always exciting and rewarding ways to not only create good will, but also to increase the effectiveness of our efforts.
     Over the past four decades, our college has been recognized as a strong academic institution with successful programs, award-winning faculty, prominent alumni, and a tradition of providing quality education to the members of our community.
     Whether you are a new student or a returning one, we encourage you to be proactive in your education and take advantage of all that the college has to offer.

Sincerely,

President

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