Cuesta College Superintendent and President Gilbert Stork

Gilbert Stork, superintendent and president of Cuesta College since 2010, has announced his retirement as of June 30, 2018.

Stork, who has been employed at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo for more than 50 years, is the college’s longest serving employee.

“In my 50 years at Cuesta College, I have had the privilege to work with a caring and dedicated faculty, staff and administration and have experienced a great sense of achievement as I have observed them take ownership of what we do and how we do it,” said Stork in a news release. “Equally important has been the quality and caring exhibited by the Cuesta College board of trustees. To be able to work with an elected board that provides such support for and confidence in me is a gift for any president.”

Cuesta College Board of Trustees President Barbara George praised Stork for his leadership.

“Gil Stork has been the extraordinary leader we needed during very difficult years for both this college district and community colleges throughout California,” said George in a news release. “He guided us through times of drastic state budget cuts and accreditation sanction, and he righted our ship. Moving forward from difficult times, he inspired innovation and change, and now we are considered a model community college throughout the state.”

Added California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley, “Serving the California community college system for more than 50 years is commendable; serving those years at a single institution is simply remarkable. To dedicate half a century of one’s life to a single college exemplifies true loyalty and passion. The leadership of Dr. Gil Stork has surely touched countless lives and inspired many in San Luis Obispo County and around the state.”

Stork’s career at Cuesta College began two years after the college opened its doors in 1967 when he was hired as a physical education instructor and assistant football coach.

From 1970-1977, Stork served as a mathematics instructor, during which time he also served as the division chair of the physical sciences and mathematics division. In 1977, Stork was promoted to associate dean of instruction and then to dean of instruction in 1979.

In 1990, Stork was hired as the assistant superintendent/vice president of student services, and retired from that position in 2004. Immediately thereafter, Stork assumed the role of interim vice president/assistant superintendent of student services, then interim dean of humanities, followed by interim dean of workforce and economic development and then superintendent and president.

Stork earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a doctorate in educational administration from Brigham Young University.

Cuesta College will launch a nationwide search to replace Stork.

• Contact Glenn Rabinowitz at grabinowitz@pacbiztimes.com.