Merced College board appoints Walsh as interim president

The Merced College board of trustees this week appointed Susan Walsh as interim president, effective in July, until a new president is found.

The seven-member board reported the action taken in closed session during its meeting Tuesday, unanimously approving Walsh as interim president.

Walsh’s contract will be voted on by the board next month, but board President Dennis Jordan said she would serve in an interim tole until a new president is found.

During a special meeting in January, the board unanimously accepted the retirement of former President Ron Taylor before a 5-2 vote in closed session placed him on leave. Trustees Cindy Lashbrook and Joe Gutierrez cast the dissenting votes, according to records.

Walsh was appointed as acting president in February. She was serving as director of the Learning Resource Center at the time.

Walsh served as an interim vice president of instruction last year for about five months. She’s held a number of other positions at the school, according to officials. She has a familial tie to Merced College trustee Gary Arzamendi: Her brother, Merced County Supervisor Hub Walsh, is married to Arzamendi’s sister, Rita.

Taylor, who had led the college since 2012, is on paid leave through the end of the semester in June.

This story was originally published May 13, 2016 at 6:07 PM with the headline "Merced College board appoints Walsh as interim president."