Copyright© 2007 by School Services of California, Inc.

                                      Volume 20                   For Publication Date: July 6, 2007             No. 15

President of Lassen College Resigns

Homer Cissell, the President of Lassen Community College, has resigned from the College. Cissell, who was the CEO of the college since 2002, steps down at a time when the campus appears to be in crisis.  

Lassen College currently faces declining enrollment, a $1 million dollar deficit, and academic probation by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). The College has been on academic probation since January when the accreditation commission found a “crippled governance structure.” 

According to Cissell, he does not see the College in crisis, stating, “the College is well positioned to move forward, and it is time for me to look for greater opportunities.” Cissell is a native of Illinois with 25 plus years of college teaching and administrative experience. During his tenure at Lassen, Cissell developed the Lassen College Foundation, started an American Indian program, and implemented the Phi Theta Kappa chapter. 

According to the Sacramento Bee, his Lassen legacy also includes a faculty vote of no confidence, a class-action lawsuit alleging discrimination, and a 2006 grand jury report citing several incidents involving abuse of power by Cissell. However, the State Attorney General did not find any actions illegal. 

In June, community activists launched a recall campaign to oust four Lassen Community College board members in order to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the board and the continued decline in enrollment.  

There are many issues facing the College and the State Chancellor’s Office may need to intervene. Cissell’s resignation took affect on July 3; Larry Perryman, the College’s chief financial officer, will serve as the interim college president. 

—Jamillah Moore, Ed.D.