MiraCosta College on Monday announced the hiring of three new deans.
Nikki Schaper was hired as dean of behavioral sciences, history and adult education, Chris Hill was hired as dean of research, planning and institutional effectiveness, and Mike Fino will serve as interim dean of math and science.
Schaper previously served as the associate dean of student services at the San Elijo Campus since 2009, where she had site responsibility for student activities, outreach and student government, and student discipline and grievances. She has a bachelor’s degree in urban studies and planning from UC San Diego, a master’s degree in education, and a doctorate in organizational leadership from Pepperdine University.
Hill previously served as the senior dean of College Planning and Institutional Effectiveness at Grossmont College. During her 13 years at Grossmont, she also served as interim vice president of both student services and academic affairs. Dr. Hill is also a longtime faculty member in California community colleges having taught full-time at Fullerton and Grossmont Colleges.
Hill earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geology from San Diego State University, a master of education from Azusa Pacific, and a doctorate in geology from University of Southern California.
Fino has held academic and leadership positions at MiraCosta College, including department chair and lead faculty for bioprocess technology, Academic Senate president, co-chair of the Institutional Program Review Committee, co-chair of the Steering Council, Accreditation Core Team writer, and member of numerous governance committees. Fino was also responsible for authoring the successful application to offer a baccalaureate degree in biomanufacturing at MiraCosta College.
Fino earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in bioengineering from UC San Diego.
