Hubbard, 60, West Valley College's dean of community education, was recognized for 35 years of service to the school at the district's Aug. 19 board meeting. Hubbard said he came to a point in his career where it was just time to retire.

His work in community education has included marketing, management of Advanced Transportation and working on the Center for International Trade Development Economic Development grants. He also served as interim director of the Small Business Development Center from 2003 to 20004.

Prior to that he was interim director of the district's Economic Development Institute from 1998 to 1999. Hubbard was also formerly the associate dean of community education and manager of marketing and printing services from 1990 to 1998.

The district has no plans at this time to replace Hubbard, primarily because West Valley, like most community colleges in the state, is fiscally challenged due to the state budget crunch. The district board of trustees, partly to save money, is hoping to have the two community colleges work together, combine the community education departments and reconfigure the existing staff.

"I'm hoping I'll be able to be useful to the college in helping that transition take place," Hubbard said.

Hubbard would like to stay involved with the college, but wants to "focus on the heart of tasks" rather than be responsible for the full administrative aspects of them. For example, he's hoping to help gather and analyze information about the larger community and related issues.

Hubbard said the community education department supports activities on campus and offers classes to people eligible for state support.

"The college needed to have activities that reached out and responded to members of the community that were not typical students," said Hubbard.