Hartley said he's looking forward to "working with the people that comprise the college community at West Valley. I already have learned that they are committed to excellence and justifiably proud of the college."

District Chancellor Stan Arterberry said securing the right senior executive is one of the most important decisions a community college district can make.

WVC Vice President of Instruction Joe Samuels and Joan Sarlo, a physical education instructor and department chairwoman, co-chaired the search committee that included the following members: Max Crumley, lab faculty specialist and instructor; Brigit Espinosa, director of general services; Laurel Kinley, library media technician; Carol Knight, physical education instructor and women's volleyball coach; Divya Pereira, former student trustee; Geri Peterson, senior administrative assistant and career education instructor; Celine Pinet, interior design instructor and department co-chairwoman; Bahareh Sabetzadeh, student government leader; Wanda Wong, instructor and counselor; and Dave Anderson, Saratoga city manager.

Board of Trustees President Jack Lucas said Hartley will be a valuable addition to the executive team.

Prior to serving at College of the Canyons, Hartley was the dean of instruction at Mendocino College. He began his career as a lecturer in behavioral science at Cal Poly­Pomona. He also lectured in psychology at California State University, San Bernardino and was a psychology professor, department chairman and division dean at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga. After receiving his bachelor's degree in psychology from California State University, Humboldt, he obtained his master's and doctoral degrees in physiological psychology from University of California, Riverside.

On June 17, the board of trustees also recognized student representatives who will sit on the board for the 2004­05 academic year, including WVC student trustee David Payne.