On June 14, the Kern Community College District Board of Trustees named Dr. Mary E. Retterer as the new president for Cerro Coso Community College (CCCC). Retterer has served as the interim president since June 2006 and is the seventh president in the CCCC’s 35-year history.
Retterer comes to CCCC with 26 years of experience working within the California Community College system. Prior to assuming her role at CCCC, Retterer spent two years as Superintendent/President for the Shasta-Tehama-Trinity Joint Community College District in Shasta, California (June 2004-June 2006), and six additional years as president of Pima Community College’s East Campus (August 1998-June 2004).
Prior to her career in administration within the community college system in California, Retterer taught as an adjunct faculty member at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (1980), taught business and accounting courses in the San Bernardino Community College District (1981-1993), and taught business administration courses at the University of Texas at Austin (1992).
Additionally, Retterer has overseen schools in the Minnesota State College and Universities System, which includes being named president of Ridgewater College in Willmar and Hutchinson, and service as the Dean of Students at Rainy River Community College in International Falls.
As a former community college student herself, Retterer attended Crafton Hills College before transferring to California State University San Bernardino, to earn a B.A. in administration, with a concentration in accounting as well as a M.A. in business administration, also with a concentration in accounting.
“Community college helped me to become what I am today because of those who intentionally invested in my goals, dreams, and struggles. I am excited to have the opportunity to instill some of the same values and work ethic into the students at Cerro Coso,” said Retterer.
Retterer later went on to earn a doctor of philosophy in educational administration within the community college leadership program at the University of Texas at Austin.