Dr. Joan Smith Meets The Mother Lode

Sonora, CA — Dr. Joan Smith is spending this week meeting and greeting Mother Lode community leaders.

Smith will become the new president of Columbia College on January 1 succeeding Dr. Jim Riggs who will return to the classroom as an instructor in the Music Department.

Smith comes to the Mother Lode from Ventura College in southern California. She says she was looking to graduate to the president´s level and Columbia College appeared to be the perfect fit.

Smith will join the Columbia College family at an exciting time. Plans are well underway for a new science building and district trustees are in the process of purchasing property in Calaveras County to expand the school´s academic horizon. The school´s expansion plans are being funded by a bond issue that passed during Dr. Riggs´ presidency.

Smith, her husband and one of their three children, a daughter, will make their permanent home in the greater Sonora area.

Written by Bill Johnson