Yavapai College Announces Final Four Candidates for Presidential Search

Yavapai College has announced four final candidates to be the institution’s next president. The final candidates are: Dr. Douglas Berry, Dr. Charles W. Lepper, Dr. Omar Javier Torres, and Dr. Andrew Fisher.

Search Committee Chair Jack Smith, Vice President of Community Relations & Legislative Affairs, emphasized the caliber and readiness of the finalist pool. Smith said following a comprehensive national search and evaluation process, the Yavapai College Presidential Search Committee spent the past week conducting semifinalist interviews.

“The search committee spent last week thoroughly interviewing candidates, and we are confident that this is a highly qualified pool of final candidates to lead Yavapai College into its next chapter,” said Smith. “Each of these leaders brings proven executive experience, strategic vision, and an authentic commitment to student success and community engagement. We are excited to welcome them to our campuses and provide our community the opportunity to participate directly in this vital selection process.”

Each finalist will participate in a full-day campus visit, following an identical daily forum schedule to allow faculty, staff, students, and community members across Yavapai County to engage with the candidates and offer feedback to the District Governing Board.

Following the campus visits, feedback collected from forum attendees will be reviewed by the Yavapai College District Governing Board prior to conducting final interviews and making an appointment.

Final Candidate Brief Biographies (listed in order of their campus visits):

Dr. Doug Berry currently serves as Acting President of Yavapai College, having previously held the role of the college’s Provost and Vice President of Student Affairs since joining the executive leadership team in 2023. Prior to his current post, Dr. Berry’s past experience included several leadership positions within the Maricopa County Community College District, such as Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs at Paradise Valley Community College, as well as Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and Accreditation Liaison Officer at Phoenix College. Earlier in his career, he also served as Dean of Academic Affairs at Paradise Valley Community College and taught psychology as both a full-time and adjunct faculty member.

Dr. Charles W. Lepper is a higher education leader with more than 28 years of experience, most recently serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan. His past experience includes holding senior executive leadership roles at Salt Lake Community College, Tidewater Community College, and Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, in addition to working as an adjunct instructor at multiple institutions and as a consultant for community colleges across the country. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Ball State University, a master’s degree from Grand Valley State University, a Ph.D. from Indiana State University, and additional credentials from Harvard University and Florida State University.

Dr. Omar Javier Torres currently serves as the President of De Anza College. His past experience began with starting his career as a part-time instructor and earning tenure at Moorpark College, before advancing at College of the Canyons as an instructional dean, associate vice president, and vice president of instruction. He has also held prominent statewide leadership roles, including serving as president of the community college chief instructional officers and serving on the board of the community college chief executive officers. He holds an Ed.D. from the University of La Verne, an M.S. from UCLA, and a B.S. from Texas A&M University.

Dr. Andrew Fisher currently serves as the elected chair for the Epsom School Board in New Hampshire and remains active in civic volunteer organizations, bringing over 20 years of experience in education spanning special education, college teaching, administration, and senior executive leadership. His past experience includes serving as vice president for academic affairs and chief academic officer at Bristol Community College and NHTI-Concord’s Community College, alongside serving as provost and chief academic officer and student affairs officer at North Central Texas College. He holds a doctorate and master’s degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce and a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of North Texas.

Candidate Campus Visit Dates:

• Monday, November 16: Dr. Douglas Berry
• Tuesday, November 17: Dr. Charles W. Lepper
• Wednesday, November 18: Dr. Omar Javier Torres
• Thursday, November 19: Dr. Andrew Fisher

Complete biographies for each candidate and and more information about the community forums are available online.

____
Yavapai College operates seven campuses and centers throughout Yavapai County and offers over 100 degrees and certificates, six baccalaureate degrees, student and community services, and cultural events and activities. To learn more about Yavapai College, visit www.yc.edu.