Oceanside CA– MiraCosta Community College District has set January 16 as a date of celebration for its newly appointed superintendent/president, Dr. Sunita (“Sunny”) Cooke. She assumed the post on January 2.
Dr. Cooke comes to MiraCosta College from Grossmont College in El Cajon, where she served as president since 2007.
“We are extremely excited about someone of Dr. Cooke’s ability and track record becoming MiraCosta’s superintendent/president. She has proven in her previous posts that she is a visionary and an effective leader with the ability to work in an academic environment,” said MiraCosta College Board of Trustees President David Broad.
Born in Lucknow, India, Dr. Cooke immigrated to the United States with her family in 1968. After being awarded a doctorate in biology at Georgetown University, she completed a postdoctoral training program at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, in the molecular aspects of cell adhesion and metastasis. She then became a founding faculty member of Lone Star-Montgomery College in north Houston, Texas.
Prior to joining Grossmont College, Dr. Cooke spent 12 years with the Lone Star System, where she served as professor of biology; director of a biotechnology institute; dean of sciences, health and wellness; and associate vice-chancellor for workforce development. She has taught full-time and part-time for more than 13 years and continues to teach each summer in the community college leadership doctoral program at San Diego State University.
“I could not be happier about joining the fine faculty, staff and administrators of MiraCosta College as we continue to build on the 80-year tradition of excellence in service to students and our community,” said Dr. Cooke.
Dr. Cooke takes over from Interim Superintendent/President Dick Robertson, who will return to his role as vice president of Student Services.
“The board is very grateful to Dr. Dick Robertson for the outstanding leadership he has shown during this period as interim superintendent/president,” said Board President Broad.
The inaugural celebration for Dr. Cooke will be held January 16, 10–11:30 a.m. in the Concert Hall, located MiraCosta College, 1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside. To attend the event, please RSVP to miracosta.edu/rsvp by January 14. Seating is limited.
For more information, contact Cheryl Broom at cbroom@miracosta.edu or call 760.795.6612.