For immediate release - June 12, 2006
Newsbrief

(DALLAS) – Dr. Wright Lassiter, chancellor of the Dallas County Community College District, has announced the appointment of Edward DesPlas as interim president of El Centro College. Members of the DCCCD board of trustees approved the appointment during the group’s regular monthly meeting in June. DesPlas most recently served as ECC’s executive vice president. He succeeds Lassiter, who became the district’s chancellor following the resignation of Dr. Jesus “Jess” Carreon.

DesPlas, who joined El Centro in 1998, previously served as vice president of administrative services at Western Nebraska Community College. He held positions at several DCCCD locations, including Eastfield College, the district office and the LeCroy Center for Educational Telecommunications. He also has taught as an adjunct faculty member in accounting.

DesPlas earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Dallas and a master’s degree in human resources and training from Amberton University. He participated in executive training at Harvard University and advanced training at the American Association of Community Colleges’ Future Leaders Institute.

The new interim president’s professional affiliations include the Texas Association of Community College Business Officers, the National Association of College and University Business Officers and Community College Business Officers. He received NACUBO’s 2001 Rising Star Award. In 2002, CCBO honored DesPlas with its International Outstanding Business Officer Award. The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development recognized him with its 2003 Excellence in Education Award.

For more information, contact Charles Hedrick in the ECC office of marketing and communications at (214) 860-2036 or Ann Hatch in the DCCCD office of marketing and communications at (214) 860-2478.