When Dr. Lori Gaskin first came to Santa Barbara City College, she couldn’t find a parking space.

Now, the newly appointed superintendent-president will have her own spot, reserved for her outside the Administration Building.

Gaskin, 53, will fill the position starting July 9 and has a whole new set of difficulties to tackle, including impending budget reductions, estimated between $6 million to  $15 million.

“It’s never easy being a leader,” Gaskin said. “But it’s slightly easier during times of plenty. It really tests your abilities and your values and your beliefs and your vision, to be able to lead during the difficult times.”

Gaskin describes her departure from West Valley College as “sappy;” a combination of sad and happy.

Her only child, 23-year-old Greg, won’t be moving down to Santa Barbara with her. Instead, he will attend Stanford University to study medicine.

So far her experience—both internal to the college and in the larger community—has been “breathtaking,” she said.

Before formally applying for the position, “I wanted to get a sense of how it felt on campus, and it felt really right,” Gaskin said.

She also went to Santa Barbara City College’s website and registered as a student.

“The way she presented herself just seemed like she would be a very good fit for the college,” said acting superintendent-president Dr. Jack Friedlander. “She is very student-oriented, which I thought was terrific.”

Gaskin has been president of West Valley College, located in Saratoga, in the Bay Area’s Silicon Valley, for three years.  She was approached in early January by Santa Barbara City College’s search firm, Stanton Chase International.

“[Stanton Chase] had indicated that they had received some positive comments about me, and they encouraged me to consider applying,” she said.

“I was not looking to leave my institution. I was very happy where I was.”

The permanent superintendent-president position opened up June 2011 after the Board of Trustees made the controversial decision to dismiss Dr. Andreea Serban. That decision sparked an investigation by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, eventually resulting in the college being placed on official “warning.”

After a four-month search, Gaskin was elected 5-2 by the board..

“It was one of the most special moments of my life,” Gaskin said, describing the Skype conversation she had with the board after they announced its decision during its meeting on April 26 here in Santa Barbara.

Friedlander said he is confident he can work effectively with Gaskin.

“When they selected her, I was very happy because I know she and I have a good relationship and will have a great relationship going forward and working as a part of a good team,” he said.

Gaskin and Friedlander have already begun conversations with Joe Sullivan, vice president of Business Services, about budget reductions.

“It’s certainly not where we want to be as educational leaders in terms of leading the institution—to focus solely on budget,” she said. “Because what really creates a fine institution is the quality and caliber of its educational programs, and its stellar faculty and staff and wonderful students.

“Unfortunately, reality is such that we need to focus our energy and attention to ensuring that we have aligned our budget to the fiscal realities we face. That’s unpleasant.”

Gaskin is no stranger to leading through budget cuts. When she accepted the position at West Valley College, she was faced with a $1.5 million budget reduction.

“It’s not where you want to put your energy toward, but I certainly understand why we need to,” she said.

Despite the cuts she was forced to make at West Valley, Gaskin still earned high marks from her colleagues there.

In comments from co-workers, Gaskin won praise for her warmth, her approachability and her maternal touch.

Speaking publicly at Santa Barbara City College two weeks ago, she described how she likes to meet students on campus and give them a quick “motherly” massage or hug.

In fact, during a long telephone conversation with a Channels editor, she quickly drops the formality. When asked how she would like to be addressed, the new superintendent-president responded:

“As Lori.”

This story was originally published May 8, 2012.