Martha Kanter, who served as President of De Anza College forten years, has been appointed Chancellor of The Foothill-De AnzaCollege District.
Kanter said that her number one goal as chancellor will beimproving student life and student services.

“The big goal is to get us to a higher quality of education,better student programs and fighting for our proportionalshare,” she said.
While she will not move into the Chancellor’s office until July 1,coordination and meetings with interim Chancellor Lois A. Callahanhave already been scheduled.
Callahan said of Kanter’s promotion, “Martha has experience, sheknows the district well and she will do an excellent job.”
Jon O’Bergh, assistant to the Chancellor, agreed with Callahan.
“I’m very excited to be working with Martha,” said O’Bergh. “I’veworked with her in the past and I’m thrilled to get the opportunityonce again.”
As the district braces for severe budget cuts, Kanter assumes thechallenge of serving as Chancellor with great anticipation.
“I am energized when times are tough,” said Kanter. “We have afantastic team here at De Anza and at Foothill, and we will getthrough this.”
Although the budget has affected the campus in a number of ways, DeAnza’s transfer rate to the four-year university system is stilldouble the state average as well as the nation’s average.
Kanter credits the commitment to the community by both thedistrict’s administration and the Board of Trustees with keepingthe district 80 to 90 percent healthy in the recent statewidedownturn.
Kanter’s career in education began in Waltham, Massachusetts atBrandeis University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree inSociology. At Harvard University, she collected a master’s degreein education with interest in clinical psychology and publicpractice. She also attended the University of San Francisco, whereshe earned an education doctrine in higher educationadministration.
Kanter has served and presided over a number of educationalorganizations throughout the stat of California. She is also chairof the Community College Advisory Panel of the College Board, anationwide organization.
Kanter revealed that the duties and decisions of Chancellor donot lie in her hands alone.
“It is a partnership between student services, administration,student government and academic senate,” she said. “These are allof the pieces that make up what higher education is.”
Kanter notes that the budget disparity will have an effect on theDe Anza and Foothill campuses for another two years, but therebuilding process is in the works.
“Both colleges are a gift to the community and we will build uponour history and tradition,” said Kanter. “We will be well preparedfor a brighter future.”
A nationwide search for Kanter’s replacement as president willbegin this fall. District officials are hopeful the next presidentwill be selected by January.