Dr. Rachel Rosenthal, the President of Folsom Lake College, will retire December 31, 2016 after serving in the position for four-and-a-half years. Dr. Rosenthal is the second president in the school’s twelve-year history.

During Rosenthal’s tenure, she guided the institution through the creation of a ten-year College Master Plan, the fruitful piloting of an inmate education program at Mule Creek State Prison and the FolsomWomen’s Facility, the launch of the FLC/Rancho Cordova Promise Program in partnership with the City of Rancho Cordova, the transformation of the college’s Innovation Center into a makerspace, and a successful application for reaffirmation of accreditation.

“This young college has grown and matured into a magnificent institution and I’ve been honored to serve as its president. It’s as if I’ve been at the right place at the right time,” Rosenthal shared. “I must also acknowledge my wonderful mentors and the support of so many great people all along the way as for this, I am ever grateful.”

Rosenthal has dedicated more than two decades to higher education serving in management and faculty positions at Sierra College in Rocklin and American River College in Sacramento. Prior to her time in education, she worked in the private sector as a project engineer and led the design of highway seismic retrofit projects in Southern California.

Rosenthal is also active in the community having served on the boards of the Folsom Economic Development Corporation, Folsom Tourism Bureau, Folsom Lake College Foundation, the Sacramento SPCA and canine companions, and is a Commissioner for the Association for California Community College Administrators Association, the California Community College Athletics Association, and the American Association of Community Colleges.

“Rachel’s dedication to the community she serves is among the chief reasons that Folsom Lake College has fostered such a stellar reputation in the Sacramento region and beyond,” said Brian King, Chancellor of the Los Rios Community College District. “Her integrity, creativity and passion will sorely be missed by our entire organization.”

Folsom Lake College’s longtime Vice President of Administration Kathleen Kirklin will serve as Interim President while the Los Rios Community College District conducts the nationwide search for Rosenthal’s successor.