Gilbert Stork named Cuesta chief

November 3, 2011

Dr. Gilbert H. Stork, a former assistant football coach and teacher at Cuesta College, will be its new superintendent and president following a board of trustees decision announced this week.

Stork has been interim boss at the college since Jan. 2010.

Formal appointment awaits conclusion of negotiations and approval of an employment contract, said board president Patrick Mullin. Mullin said board members “are optimistic” that final agreement will be reached by December.

Three finalists had been introduced to the public, and each submitted to several rounds of interviews.

“Cuesta’s presidential selection committee and the board engaged in a rigorous selection process and considered a number of well qualified candidates; however, Dr. Stork emerged as the most qualified candidate to lead the San Luis Obispo Community College District for the foreseeable future,” Mullin said in a press release.

“The Board looks forward to Dr. Stork’s leadership and long-term commitment to the success of the College and the students we serve, and I am confident that Dr. Stork will bring his expert knowledge and experience to respond to the fiscal and regulatory challenges facing the District.”

Stork’s relationship with Cuesta College goes back to 1967. At Cuesta, he served as an assistant football coach, mathematics instructor, division chair, associate dean, dean, and assistant superintendent/vice president of student services.

Stork earned his master’s degree in mathematics from Cal Poly and his doctorate in educational administration from Brigham Young University. The new president has volunteered and served on boards of directors of numerous local, non-profit organizations.

Stork is expected to begin as superintendent/president in January 2012.