The vice president of student services at San Diego Mesa College was selected to serve as president of Cuyamaca College, the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District announced Monday.
The appointment of Julianna Barnes is effective Oct. 5.
The district conducted a nationwide search to replace Mark Zacovic, who retired at the end of June after four years on the job. Barnes emerged as the top candidate after a series of public forums and interviews with district leaders.
She was vice president of student services at Cuyamaca College before taking the job at San Diego Mesa College in February 2013.
"I'm delighted to have Dr. Barnes back in our district," Chancellor Cindy Miles said. "She has amazing enthusiasm for helping students succeed and for collaborating with faculty and staff to ensure that students get the best education possible."
Born and raised in San Diego, Barnes and her two siblings were raised by a single mother who dropped out of high school. Barnes was the first in her immediate and extended family to attend college.
She earned her bachelor's degree in sociology with a minor in teacher education at UC San Diego, and obtained a master's degree in education with an emphasis on multicultural counseling from San Diego State University. Her doctorate in educational leadership with a community college specialization was also earned at SDSU.
