Pacific Oaks College and The Children's School Names New President

PASADENA, Calif., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Trustees for Pacific Oaks Education Corporation (POEC) today elected Dr. Cindy Carter as the seventh president of Pacific Oaks College (POC). Dr. Carter also will serve as CEO of POEC, which includes The Children's School, a nationally recognized preschool located in Pasadena.

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An educator for more than 25 years, Dr. Carter's term as permanent president and CEO begins today. She originally joined POEC in September 2009 as acting president and vice president of academic affairs.

"We conducted a national search for a new leader of Pacific Oaks College and The Children's School and found the perfect fit right here in Pasadena," said Dr. Curt McCray, chair of the POEC Board of Trustees. "Cindy has served our community with poise, professionalism, and purpose over the past four months. I am confident that she is the right person to advance our long-standing tradition as a place that provides a transformative education to our students."

Dr. Carter was unanimously elected by the nine board members attending today's meeting. Among the trustees who spoke on the significance of the vote was Olin Barrett, the board's longest serving member. "It's an exciting time for POEC," he said. "Pacific Oaks College and The Children's School have been fixtures in Pasadena for more than a half century. With new leadership comes fresh energy, momentum, and an opportunity to ensure the future of this unique institution for years to come."

Another trustee who has served on POC boards for many years is Allison Shearmur, a Children's School parent. "My congratulations to President Carter," she said. "Today's announcement is the culmination of a thoughtful and inclusive process to find a leader who can forge strong relationships among all of our constituents. Cindy has already achieving success with this effort. We all look forward to working with her in the future, which holds much promise for our students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni."

Dr. Carter's academic background includes degrees in Liberal Arts, Biology and Chemistry, Educational Psychology, and Clinical Psychology. She carries a Secondary Education Teaching Credential and is licensed as a Registered Nurse. Her previous higher education posts include Pacifica Graduate Institute and California Lutheran University.

"It is with great respect for the institution and its larger communities that I humbly accept the role of president and vow to serve each tenet of the Pacific Oaks mission," said Dr. Carter. "I am excited to continue supporting POC and The Children's School and connecting with new friends--students, alumni, faculty, staff, and members of the surrounding Pasadena community--who share my passion for education."

ABOUT PACIFIC OAKS COLLEGE AND THE CHILDREN'S SCHOOL

Pacific Oaks College (POC) is an accredited institution offering bachelor's, master's, and certificate programs in human development, counseling, and teaching credentialing.

Founded in 1959 by a small group of Quaker families, POC is dedicated to the fundamental Quaker principles of inclusion, social justice, and the valuing of every human being. The institution is known and recognized for its pioneering efforts to reduce bias within our nation's education system, and for equipping graduates with the skills they need to help people from diverse backgrounds, learning styles, and strengths uncover and realize their unique individual potentials.

Founded in 1945, The Children's School is widely recognized today as one of the finest preschools in the Los Angeles region. For more information, visit www.pacificoaks.edu.

    Contact: Matt Nehmer
    (312) 329-6672; [email protected]

SOURCE Pacific Oaks Education Corporation