Santa Rosa Junior College hires new arts and sciences dean

Santa Rosa Junior College has appointed a new dean to oversee liberal arts and sciences.

Saeid Eidgahy, who has worked for the past 17 years at San Diego Mesa College, is set to begin his new SRJC job this summer. He’s replacing Kris Abrahamson, who’s retiring after two decades at SRJC.

At San Diego Mesa College, one of the state’s fastest growing community colleges, Eidgahy, 55, served as dean of the School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

During his tenure, Eidgahy worked with many faculty and staff members in planning a $109 million math and science complex featuring a greenhouse, astronomy observation center and microclimate gardens. The four-story building opened in 2014, becoming the largest community college instructional facility in the state, according to Mesa College.

Eidgahy received a master’s degree in technology education and a doctorate in higher education administration and supervision from Ohio’s Bowling Green State University. He previously designed a number of academic programs and science and technology courses and ran a technical training company. He also conducted research in a variety of areas over the past 25 years, SRJC officials said. He’s looked at the aging workforce, minorities and women in education and educational technologies.

He also authored nearly 50 peer-reviewed articles, SRJC officials said.

The SRJC job pays $152,000 annually.