May 14, 2021 - The Merced Community College District Board of Trustees approved on Tuesday the appointment of Karissa Morehouse as Assistant Superintendent and Vice President of Instruction. Morehouse will begin her new role June 14.

Morehouse currently serves as Merced College’s Dean of Instruction, overseeing the Learning Resource Center, Distance Education, and Prison Education. In her new role, she will oversee the College’s instructional division, including academic, career technical, and basic skills classes and programs, as well as non-credit, community services, contract education, and a variety of other related programs and services. Additionally, she will serve as the Accreditation Liaison Officer for the college.

“Karissa has been an exemplary employee at Merced College, and a key part of several important initiatives on campus, including our transition to distance learning this past year,” Merced College President Chris Vitelli said. “I am incredibly confident in her ability to lead the Instructional Division and make immediate contributions in this important role.”

Morehouse came to Merced College with a diverse background in instruction and student support services. Prior to her time here, she was the Chief Instructional Officer and Dean of Student Learning at Lassen College. She also has experience as an accreditation liaison officer, an administrator in student success and equity, and a TRiO director at UC Davis, serving students who are the first in their family to attend college.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Psychology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and a master’s in Social Sciences with an emphasis on Career Counseling at California State University, Chico.

“We have an amazing opportunity to support our students with how we shape learning in the classroom,” Morehouse said. “We have talented faculty at Merced College, and I look forward to working with them to continue innovative and student-centered teaching practices as we welcome students back onto campus. It is an exciting time to be a part of Merced College, and my family and I are looking forward to setting down roots in the county.”
Source: Merced College