By Kathryn Reed

Whoops of approval and applause followed the announcement this morning that Kindred Murillo will be the next president of Lake Tahoe Community College.

“She has a very strong fiscal background, which is what we need,” board President Fritz Wenck told Lake Tahoe News.

Kindred Murillo

He said Murillo was the universal pick among the board, staff and faculty.

It was evident by the reaction by the more than dozen people at the May 19 special board meeting that the board had picked their favorite of the four finalists.

Wenck said one thing that impressed everyone is Murillo’s experience is not limited to academia. She spent 13 years at Southern California Edison in several management positions. She was also on the City Council for Yucca Valley and the town’s first mayor.

Murillo is currently vice chancellor for the Contra Costa Community College District, which has three colleges.

She started her community college career at Desert Community College District as a faculty member. She became vice president of Administrative Services at Pasadena Area Community College.

Murillo will be the fourth full-time president of the two-year college. Steve Maradian has been interim president this school year.

The contract is still being negotiated. It is expected to be voted on at the board’s regular May 24 meeting. Murillo is expected to start work July 1.