Dr. Cynthia Azari, Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development and Educational Services at State Center Community College District has been selected as president of Fresno City College. She is the first female to lead the 98-year-old college. She takes the reigns of FCC on Jan. 2.

SCCCD Chancellor Thomas Crow and the Board of Trustees made the announcement Monday. “[Azari] has a strong track record of success, well earned success, and I think she is a perfect fit for the position,” said Crow.

Many gathered for the historic announcement delivered outside the President’s Office. Light refreshments were served as FCC’s new president fielded questions.

Azari said her biggest challenge would be “just becoming a part of the campus.” She added, “I think the top priority is to ensure that we continue to provide quality education, and that’s ensuring that we have the resources, both human and financial…with the downturn in the economy that’s also a challenge.”

When asked if there was anything she wanted to change immediately, Azari responded, “At this point no, I don’t have anything I want to change; I do want to start planning for the centennial.”