Dr. Chad Houck has been named dean of Instruction – Liberal Arts and Sciences at Cerro Coso Community College, effective July 5. 

Vice President of Instruction Dr. Corey Marvin announced the appointment on July 6, approved by the Kern Community College District Board of Trustees at their June 8, 2017 board meeting.

Houck comes to CCCC from the K-12 system, where he spent the last three years as the principal of South Lake Tahoe High School.  No stranger to the remote setting, he has worked closely with the community, industry, and education partners in Lake Tahoe to develop dual enrollment offerings and collaborate in innovative ways to improve access and close achievement gaps. His background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University, a Master’s of Science in Education in Post-Secondary Administration from USC, and (just last March) a doctorate in Advanced Studies in Human Behavior from Capella University.

Prior to his time at South Lake Tahoe, Houck spent eight years at Burroughs High School as assistant principal of curriculum and instruction. “We are honored and excited to welcome Dr. Houck to Cerro Coso,” said Marvin.  “The transition to community college allows Chad and family to come ‘home’ to Ridgecrest and represents the next logical step in his career trajectory.”