For the first time in almost 70 years El Camino will have it’s first female president. Dena Maloney, currently the Superintendent/President of Taft College, was selected by the board of trustees to take over in February 2016 when President Tom Fallo retires.

In the following interview Maloney shares her plans for EC.

Q: Describe what it was like when you received the call that you were the next president of EC.
“It was a exciting day for sure. I got the call and I was thrilled beyond belief that I was selected by the board. I was just speechless in many ways when I got the call because I think so highly of EC and what it stands for and what it does for students and the community. I was just thrilled.”

Q: What are you most excited about?

“I’m excited on a number of levels. One of the things I’m most excited about is getting to know the people that have worked at El Camino for a number of years and who represent what EC is all about.”

Q: Do you have a particular vision for EC right now?

“I think the vision for El Camino is in stance today and my goal would be to promote that vision and to determine with our entire campus community where we’re going in the future.”

Q: Do you have any ideas or plans for EC’s future?

“I think there’s already a strategic plan for the college. So, step one is to review those plans and to work with the entire campus community as we understand where we are in our planning process and just start to build from there.”

Q: Are you nervous about anything?

“Nervous isn’t the right word. Excited and eager are the words I would use. I’m very very excited to relocate to the community and to become part of the community. Nervous isn’t a word I would use.”

Q: You said to relocate. Are you planning to move closer to EC?

“Yes, my husband and I will be moving to the South Bay. We’re excited to do that. When we we’re first married, we lived in Hermosa Beach. We’re excited to get back to the South Bay.”

Q: Why is student success important to you?

“Well, it’s really at the heart of the community colleges. Students come to colleges for all kinds of reasons. But the college exist because we are there to serve our students and help them achieve their dreams. So, student success is kind of at the heart of what we do and who we are and we want to make sure we’re doing everything possible to help our students succeed.”

Q: Is there a way you plan to improve student success?

“EC already has a very strong student success track record. But you can never assume that we’re doing everything we can, there’s always got to be other options and stratgies that we can implement for student success.”

Q: What are your thoughts on EC’s athletic programs?

Athletics are really important at the community college level. Often times students are coming to the community colleges to continue their athletic interest. We can’t forget that it’s just as important how a student does in a classroom as well as they do on the playing field. So, I’m very supportive of athletics because I think athletics provide students the whole education that they’re looking for. I think it’s a critical component.

Q: President Fallo has been president at EC for 20 years, how long do you think you’ll stay at El Camino?

“It’s hard to predict the future. Of course I’m not as young as he was when he started. So I hope to stay at EC a long time. I’m very excited to be part of the institution and he’s left big shoes to fill. I’m very excited to be following in his footsteps.

Q: Are there any programs you would like to see put in place here?

At this point it’s to early for me to say. Of course I’ve been well prepared in the kind of research I did when I was evaluating the opportunity and applying but I think it’s too early to specify any particular program that I’m interested in right now because I would like to get there and get the lay of the land before we get to that conversation.

Q: Is there anything you would like the student body to know about you?

“What I would like them to know about me is that I’m very dedicated and committed to their success and I’m looking forward to being a part of EC and it’s family there and to be one of those who help support students in their achievements at the college.