May 17, 2024

Dear Colleagues, 

In November, I shared an update with you on how the District was supporting the Human Resources department to assess the needs in the department, as well as the District as a whole, for this important function.  

Theresa Richmond joined SRJC as the Interim Vice President of Human Resources in November and I am grateful for her leadership and expertise. While I had intended to re-launch the search for a permanent Vice President of Human Resources this spring, I have decided to begin the recruitment process in June to support an early fall interview schedule, with the goal of a January 1, 2025 start date. This is an important leadership role for our District and compressing the search this spring would not have engaged our community in a thoughtful process. I am pleased to share Interim Vice President Richmond will remain with us in the role until the position is filled. 

Diane Clerou was also hired as a human resources consultant to evaluate the operational and human resource processes throughout the District. Over the past few months, Diane has conducted extensive interviews to identify areas for improving efficiencies, addressing service needs, and understanding the human resources staffing necessary to serve the District, and submitted her final report to me. Thank you to everyone who contributed and participated in an interview.  

Since I arrived, I have heard how essential the Human Resources function is to our District. It is important to me that our next Vice President can be successful in this critical high-level position, and I wanted to take the time and effort to ensure it is right. Over the past few months, I have conducted multiple listening sessions with our Human Resources colleagues through SRJC Voices, department meetings, and one-on-one meetings. These sessions, as well as the report from Diane, will inform how we recruit, hire, and support our future Vice President of Human Resources to be an effective and trusted leader.  

The recruitment process for the Director of Human Resources will begin the week of May 20th with the goal of an August 1, 2024 start date, as Sarah Hopkins is retiring at the end of this academic year after 32 years of service. Interim Vice President Richmond will communicate next steps for needs and operations in this role prior to June 30, 2024. 

I appreciate our colleagues in Human Resources for their patience during this transition period. Human Resources is integral to the well-being of every employee and vital to our organization's success. I value the dedication and support you provide to each member of our team, and I anticipate further collaboration and communication in the future. 

I look forward to sharing another update with you this fall as we begin the interviews for the Vice President of Human Resources. 

In community, 

Angélica Garcia, Ed.D.
Superintendent/President
707-527-4431, angelicagarcia@santarosa.edu