COCC Board of Directors Approves Three Finalists
Presidential Search 
The Central Oregon Community College (COCC) board of directors announced three finalists for the role of college president, following a nationwide search and thorough review by the presidential search advisory committee.
All three candidates will visit COCC campuses in January and February 2025 to meet with faculty, staff, students, community members and the board.
In alphabetical order, the finalists are:
Steve Erickson, Ed.D., is the vice president of institutional effectiveness and technology at Minnesota State Community and Technical College. He has served there in multiple leadership roles, including as academic dean and director of institutional research, with a focus on strategic planning, enrollment management and accreditation. Erickson earned his doctorate in higher education from Concordia University, a Master of Science in electrical engineering from the University of California, Davis, and a Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering from the University of Iowa. Erickson also served as an adjunct faculty member at Mt. Hood Community College.
Greg Pereira, Ed.D., is the vice president for student affairs at Rio Salado College in Arizona, where he oversees student affairs for more than 40,000 students as well as strategic workforce partnerships. Pereira has also served as interim vice president for academic affairs and dean of academic affairs at Rio Salado, with a strong focus on guided pathways and equity initiatives. He holds a Doctorate in Education from Arizona State University, a Master of Arts in organizational leadership and a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies from Azusa Pacific University. Pereira also has experience in the nonprofit sector.
Angela Tos, Ed.D., currently serves as vice president of student services at Coalinga College, a small, rural community college located on the west side of the valley in Central California. She previously held the roles of dean of enrollment services and student development at San Joaquin Delta College and dean of student services at Merced College. Tos has more than two decades of leadership in student services, enrollment growth and student success initiatives. She holds a doctorate in organizational leadership from Brandman University, a master’s in school counseling and a bachelor’s in English communication. Tos has been recognized for championing innovative initiatives that support first-generation and underserved students.
"The board is incredibly impressed by the depth of experience and leadership these three finalists bring," said COCC Board Chair Laura Craska Cooper. "The search advisory committee conducted a thorough and thoughtful review process, and we look forward to welcoming the finalists to our campuses. These visits in January will provide our community the opportunity to engage with the candidates and learn about their vision for COCC/s future."
The board anticipates naming the new president in early 2025. The selected candidate will succeed Laurie Chesley, Ph.D., who became COCC's sixth president in 2019 and will retire on June 30, 2025.
