On May 23, Foothill College welcomed Kimberlee Messina as their new vice president of instruction and institutional research.

“The role of vice president is crucial to the school,” said Darya Gilani, current project coordinator in the office of instruction and institutional Research

“The leadership of many heavy projects falls under the VPI position, and it was extremely critical for the college to find a capable, experienced, well-rounded and very approachable candidate for the position,” Gilani said. “As a part of the hiring committee for the position, it was very reaffirming that such a knowledgeable group of people saw all of the qualities that we had been in search of in the same candidate: Dr. Messina.”

Messina, current dean of science, technology, engineering and mathematics at Santa Rosa Junior College, is filling the shoes of interim vice president of instruction, Eloise Orrell, who will be leaving after 25 years at Foothill.

“Dr. Messina also integrates her experiences in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics areas and the skills that she gained as a Spanish instructor who has traveled to Peru, Mexico and Spain to help the college with new initiatives that support our students and the needs of our community,” said Gilani.

Messina joins the Foothill staff as they prepare for the Accrediting Commission for Junior and Community Colleges’ campus visit.

“I am truly honored and pleased to be serving as Foothill’s vice president of instruction and institutional research, and am looking forward to meeting all of my new colleagues and working together to carry on the excellence that Foothill is known for,” said Messina.