Interim president
Kathleen Kirklin, vice president of administration at Folsom Lake College in California, will serve as interim president of the college. She fills in for Rachel Rosenthal, who is retiring this month. Kirklin has served in her current position since 1998.
CEO retirement
Rachel Rosenthal, president of Folsom Lake College in California, will retire on December 31 after serving in the position for more than four years. She is the second president in the school’s 12-year history. During Rosenthal’s tenure, she guided the institution through the creation of a 10-year college master plan, the successful piloting of an inmate education program at two local facilities and the launch of a Promise program with the city of Rancho Cordova. Under her leadership, the college also transformed its Innovation Center into a makerspace and a successfully reaffirmed its accreditation. Rosenthal has dedicated more than two decades to higher education, serving in management and faculty positions at California’s Sierra College and American River College. Prior to her time in education, Rosenthal was a project engineer for Oklahoma-based natural gas firms. Upon retirement, Rosenthal and her husband, Steve, will embark on a trip around the world in early spring.
“I intend to travel, spend time with my husband and family, immerse myself in photography, and recharge before pursuing a yet to be determined next chapter in life,
(From left) Kathleen Kirklin, Rachel Rosenthal and Richard Kosaki
” she said.
Obituary
Richard Kosaki, who is credited as the architect of the University of Hawaii (UH) community college system, died October 25 at the age of 92. Kosaki taught political science at UH before moving into administration, where he had a long and distinguished career. He served as vice president for community colleges, vice chancellor for academic affairs, chancellor of West Oʻahu and acting chancellor for UH Mānoa. He also helped to found the East-West Center.
“Dick was an icon of leadership for the UH system over many years, helping us develop and advance thoughtfully together in service to the people of Hawaii,” said President David Lassner.
Kosaki was born and raised in Hawaii. He served in the Military Intelligence Service during and after World War II, spending several years in Japan as an interpreter during the occupation. He graduated from UH in 1948. He began his career with the university in 1952 as a junior researcher before receiving his masterʻs and PhD from the University of Minnesota in 1956. Kosaki, a professor emeritus and a chancellor emeritus, retired from UH in 1985.
Kudos
Mark Hagenbuch, director of Guilford Technical Community College’s Small Business Center, has received the North Carolina Small Business Center Network’s State Director of the Year award. The honor goes to individuals who go above and beyond in providing significant support, time and service to the clients within their center’s service area. This is the second time Hagenbuch has received the award. He previously won the award in 2013.
