WOODLAND HILLS : Pierce Names New Dean of Resources

Dorothy Rupert, formerly assistant dean at West Los Angeles College, has been appointed dean of resources and community relations at Pierce College.

Rupert, a resident of West Los Angeles, will be in charge of obtaining grants for the school, said Pierce College President Mary Lee. She also will serve as a liaison between the school and the community.

“We are delighted that Dorothy is joining us at Pierce College,” Lee said. “Her expertise and experience will help further the Pierce College master plan for fund-raising and new facilities.”

Rupert said Wednesday that her role will probably evolve because the position is new. She will be in charge of finding and writing applications for public and private grants. Rupert also may solicit donations from corporations and other entities.

Her appointment comes at a time when the college is confronted with declining enrollment and a $2-million budget deficit. Lee says the school needs to raise money to get through the funding crisis.

Asked whether she feels a sense of urgency to raise money, Rupert answered,

Rupert said fund-raising is a long-term process and her goals will be “making friends for the college, establishing credibility, establishing trust . . . I’m skeptical about flash-in-the-pan approaches.”

At West Los Angeles College, where she had worked since 1983, Rupert was executive director of the College Foundation and assistant dean of institutional advancement.

She lists as her major accomplishment as helping to obtain a $2.5-million federal grant to enhance educational programs.

Rupert has a master’s degree in business administration from Pepperdine University. She is treasurer of the Network of California Community College Foundations, and of the National Council of Resource Developers.