Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees Hold Swearing-in and Annual Reorganization

Rasmussen, who represents Glendora and portions of San Dimas, succeeds Trustee Susan M. Keith, who represents Claremont and portions of Pomona and La Verne, as board president. Trustee Joanne Montgomery, who represents Monrovia and portions of Duarte, will serve as board vice president and Dickerson, who represents Azusa and portions of Duarte, will serve as board clerk/secretary.

“The board understands the challenges of higher education and each member has venerable reputations for helping students achieve their academic endeavors,” said Superintendent/President Geraldine M. Perri, Ph.D. “Under their expert guidance, Citrus College will continue to be recognized as a leader both statewide and nationally. “

Prior to being elected to the Board of Trustees in 2007, Rasmussen was vice president of Institutional Advancement at Mt. San Antonio College, and before that held several administrative positions at Citrus College, including dean of planning and economic development; administrative dean of planning and institutional advancement; director of development/assistant to the president; and director of public affairs.

Rasmussen has also served on the Glendora Public Library board and was a two-term member of the Glendora Unified School District Board of Education. She has received many awards for her service, including the 59th Assembly District Woman of the Year, the Glendora Coordinating Council Humanitarian Award and the “Life’s Work” award from the YWCA of the San Gabriel Valley at its Woman of Achievement in the Field of Education earlier this year.

“As both a longtime educator and resident of this community, I am proud to serve as president of this outstanding institution, and I am dedicated to ensuring its continued success in helping students reach their career and educational goals,” Rasmussen said.

Newly elected Trustee Dickerson served on the Azusa Unified School District Board of Education for eight years. She is currently the executive director of Our Neighborhood Homework House, a nonprofit that serves at-risk youth and families in Azusa. She is also actively engaged in community groups that promote student education, including the Azusa Woman's Club, Soroptimist International of Azusa-Glendora and the Azusa Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee. For her work in the community, State Sen. Ed Hernandez named Dickerson the 24th District Woman of the Year in 2010.  She is also a recipient of the YWCA Woman of Achievement award.

“Throughout my professional career in public and private education, I have had the opportunity to gain insight into challenges students face, and subsequently influence how they can break through those barriers and succeed,” Dickerson said. “I intend to be a very visible and active voice in the community, encouraging our local students at the secondary and collegiate levels to take advantage of everything that Citrus College has to offer.”

Ortell, who was first elected to the Citrus College board in 1969, represents Duarte and portions of Azusa, Monrovia, Arcadia, Covina and Irwindale. He is a professor emeritus of business and computer technology at Pasadena City College and is the longest-serving Citrus Community College District board member.