Shasta College president retires after 12 years developing fire, equity and work programs

Shasta College students, faculty and staff will say goodbye to the school's longtime president after the fall semester wraps up.

Joe Wyse announced plans to retire in December after serving as the college's superintendent and president for 12 years, according to a press release issued by the college on Friday.

During his tenure, Wyse lead "initiatives that have transformed the college and positioned it to help students... learn employable job skills or transfer to a four-year university" without a lot of debt, Shasta College's Director of Marketing, Communications and Public Relations Peter Griggs said in the press release.

Shasta College appointed Wyse to be its vice president of administrative services in 2007 before he advanced to the presidency in 2011, Griggs said.

Under Wyse's leadership, the school managed to keep average student costs down. Tuition for California residents to attend Shasta College full time during the 2023-2024 school year is $1,190, according to Griggs: $7 more than it cost in 2013-2014, according to the College Tuition Compare website.

That's also $56 less than the average annual tuition per year ($1,246) at state community colleges, according to college comparison website Community College Review and $6,800 less than California State University, Chico's undergraduate tuition of about $8,064 for the 2023-2024 school year, according to CSU's website.

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Tuition for most students is even lower with grants, scholarships and other financial aid and the two-years of free school available under the Shasta College Promise program that was developed under Wyse, Griggs said.

Wyse helped develop and was active in education and career readiness programs, including cradle-to-college education network North State Together and the Shasta College Attainment and Innovation Lab for Equity, a program designed to help the school fill educational gaps in rural communities, according to Griggs.

He also helped launch projects funded by the $139 million Measure H bond, supported by voters in the Nov. 8, 2016 election. These "include building the Regional Public Safety Training Center, which trains future firefighters," expansions to career and technical education training facilities and building the new "cutting-edge" computer information systems building and the new Veterans Support and Success Center, Griggs said.

“Any success is a result of a team effort," Wyse said in a statement issued by Shasta College. “I am proud of the inclusive and welcoming environment at the college where we work to eliminate barriers to success and make sure every student can achieve their goals, regardless of their background or circumstances."

Wyse also helped the college grow partnerships with North State businesses and government agencies ― including Sierra Pacific Industries and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Those partnerships help the college offer curriculum in line with those organizations' needs for their future employees, Griggs said in the announcement.

"The college has been guided by Dr. Wyse’s reassuring and steady leadership" during power shutoffs, freak snow storms and the COVID pandemic shutdown, Griggs said. And when the Carr Fire devastated western Shasta County, the college opened its doors to some of the 40,000 evacuees displaced by the fire, creating an evacuation center that housed people for weeks after the fire started in July, 2018.

In his statement, Wyse said he was "humbled to have played a small role in the college’s progress and the positive impact we have had on our local communities."

Shasta College administrators and board members will soon start screening candidates to replace Wyse, according to the press release.

In fall, 2022, Shasta College welcomed 8,159 students who enrolled at the school's two Redding campuses, and satellite campuses in Burney, Weaverville and Red Bluff, according to the school.

Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Shasta College president Joe Wyse to retire