Dr. Rajen Vurdien Appointed Fullerton College President

May 28, 2010 - PRLog -- Fullerton, Calif. – Dr. Rajen Vurdien has been appointed the eighth president of Fullerton College.  He will assume his new position on July 19.  

Dr. Vurdien’s appointment was approved Tuesday night by the North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD) Board of Trustees, which governs Cypress College, Fullerton College, and the School of Continuing Education.  “Dr. Vurdien will bring leadership and vision to Fullerton College,” said Michael Matsuda, Board President.  “Because of his personal background, he fully understands the challenges and hopes of so many young people entering community colleges.”

“I am honored to be given the opportunity to lead Fullerton College,” said Dr. Vurdien.  “These are exciting times, as Fullerton College will be celebrating its 100th anniversary over the next two years.  I look forward to working with faculty, staff, students, and administration, to create a shared vision for the second century success of Fullerton College.”

“It is a great pleasure to welcome Dr. Vurdien to Fullerton College on behalf of the Trustees and the entire District,” said Dr. Ned Doffoney, Chancellor of the North Orange County Community College District.  “We are all excited and confident that under his leadership, Fullerton College will continue its tradition of excellence.”

A native of the island nation of Mauritius, Dr. Vurdien came to the United States in 1985 from China, where as a United Nations volunteer working for the United Nations Development Program, he taught English and ran the United Nations language programs.  

After concluding his work with the United Nations, Dr. Vurdien spent six years as the Director of Graduate Programs in Education at Gwynedd Mercy College, a Liberal Arts college outside of Philadelphia, before accepting the position of Director of the Reading Program at Long Island University.  He came to California in 1998 as a Reading Instructor at Long Beach City College, and then Dean of the School of Language Arts and Physical Education.  In 2004, Dr. Vurdien was appointed Vice President for Instruction at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo.

Dr. Vurdien has extensive knowledge of the community college system with strengths in the areas of strategic planning, budget, accreditation, curriculum, student services, and distance education, among others.  He is fluent in several languages with native speaker fluency in English, French, and Creole; and has a working knowledge of Spanish and Chinese.  

Dr. Vurdien’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from the University of Upper Brittany, Rennes, France, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from the Mauritius Institute of Education.  He went on to complete a Master of Education and a Ph.D. in Psychological Studies in Education, with a focus on the Psychology of Reading, at Temple University, Philadelphia, and a Master of Business Administration from Long Island University.  He also participated in the Harvard University Management Development Program.

Fullerton College:  “Excellence.  Elevated.”
Fullerton College is one of the oldest community colleges in California with over 20,000 students currently pursuing 93 majors that lead to an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree or pursuing completion in one of 147 programs leading to a vocational certificate.  Fullerton College – Excellence.  Elevated.  

NOCCCD:  “Greatness.  Achieved.”
Two of the state’s premiere colleges and most extensive continuing education program combine to provide the quality educational programming of the North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD).  Nearly 84,000 students enroll each term at Cypress College, Fullerton College, and the School of
Continuing Education.  College students are able to shape their futures in programs leading to associate degrees,
vocational certificates, and transfer opportunities.  Life-long learning also is possible in continuing education
programs that range from high school completion and basic skills mastery through an array of vocational training and self-development courses.  The NOCCCD campuses serve an area of over one million diverse people.  The NOCCCD – Greatness.  Achieved.