Dr. Joan Smith's Home Page

Columbia College President

Brief Biography

Dr. Joan Smith joined Columbia College in January 2007. She comes to the Columbia with an extensive background in community colleges. The positions held by Dr. Smith throughout her career have allowed her to gain excellent instruction, student services and administrative experience. Dr. Smith served as Executive Vice President at Ventura College from 2002 to 2007. She was previously the Dean of Business, Industry, Technology and Off-Campus Programs at Ventura College from 2000-2002. Prior to that she held various positions at Oxnard College in Oxnard, California for a period of 20 years. Her most recent position at Oxnard, from 1997 to 2000, was as Dean of Institutional and Student Services. She began at Oxnard College as an instructor/counselor from 1980 to 1992 then held several administrative positions. Dr. Smith is a proven leader in instruction, student services and economic development.

Photo of Dr. Joan Smith, President of Columbia College

Employed by YCCD since 2007

Degrees

Ed.D. in Higher Education,
Nova (Southeastern)
University in Florida

M.S. in Vocational Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-Stout

B.S. in Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology,
University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point

Contact Information

Office: Manzanita Bldg.
by appointment

Phone: (209) 588-5115
Email: smithj@yosemite.edu

Welcome To Columbia College!

As the warm days become fewer and the foothills come alive with the annual pageantry of seasonal colors, we welcome you to our fall semester at Columbia College! Hope your summer was rewarding and that you’re ready to start college classes—refreshed and eager to learn. This fall kicks off a series of public events to recognize Columbia College’s 40th Anniversary. Watch for announcements of our upcoming activities as we honor the past and celebrate the present. The first day of our college classes was September 18, 1968 and our first degrees were awarded in June 1969. Since then, the lives of thousands have changed and improved with the awarding of our associate degrees and certificates. Countless others have transferred onto four year universities after attending Columbia College, the majority earning their general education requirements during their college experience. In addition, the college has equipped vocational students with essential job training skills to enter the business world, or to upgrade their occupational situations. Looking into the future and planning for growth, we are in the process of expanding our distance education program to provide more educational opportunities. In this way, we will be able to offer students convenience, flexibility and savings in commute time and gasoline by learning at home. To sum this up, we believe that our college slogan best describes who we are: Small College. Big Opportunities! The big opportunities for education that are offered at Columbia College will lead to even bigger opportunities for you in the future. After all, we’re here to help you succeed with your goals!
All my best,

Joan Smith, Ed.D. President

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