He brings to the District his creativity in finding funds to improve educational opportunities for students, as well as a dedication to using technology and innovation to expand and improve those opportunities.

       The Coast Community College District Board of Trustees announced their decision to hire Berggren following a special session last week.

       "I am really excited and honored to take this position," Berggren said. "I have many ideas that I look forward to pursuing to develop new programs and continue to keep the Coast District on education's cutting edge."

       A self-described mid-western "farm boy," Berggren was born and raised as Bob Dole's next-door neighbor in Russell, Kansas. As a youth, he worked on the family farm and in the nearby oilfields. He credits his upbringing on the farm for his creativity and curious nature.

       "I was either on the farm or in the machine shop," he said. "My father always encouraged me to express myself through things - modifying things and building things that others never thought about building."

       As a young adult, Berggren's father encouraged him to become an engineer. "The Russians had just sent Sputnik up, and every American father wanted his kid to be an engineer and help American catch up with the Russians," he said.

       While Berggren did receive his bachelor's degree in electrical mechanical technology from California State University at Long Beach, he found himself drawn to the field of education. He worked as a teacher and sports coach for Pine Junior High School before receiving a master's degree in industrial education in 1970. Following that, Berggren worked for the Anaheim Union School District as coordinator of educational development and, eventually, principal, focusing on vocational education and developing and finding funding for new programs.

       In 1976, Berggren became area associate dean of instruction for the Coast Community College District and was part of a team of educators charged with developing the Coastline Community College, a "college without walls" whose mission is finding innovative ways to bring educational opportunities to students through distance learning, virtual classrooms and community learning centers. He was instrumental in developing Coastline's Technical Center in Fountain Valley and the college's new Garden Grove Center. He is also proud of his involvement in Coastline's Military Students Program, a groundbreaking program that includes providing the opportunity for Navy sailors to earn an Associate degree through distance learning - while at sea!

       Twenty-five years later, Berggren is still with the Coast district, and says that's because his job has always allowed him to be creative and have fun.

       "Coastline is the kind of place that encourages creative thinking," he said. "I come to work every day to work on new directions and new ideas, and seeing them come to fruition. It's fun!"

       Berggren said he is looking forward to approaching the entire Coast district with that same attitude.

       "There are a lot of challenges for us," he said. "We need to continue to find ways to service our students as their demographics change. Older, richer, poorer - we have to create programs that work for all of them."

       He already has many ideas for his new post. Included among them are pursuing more partnerships with Orange County businesses to provide them with the technically skilled workforce they need now and in the future. He also plans to further develop the District's virtual learning programs, expanding into the areas of virtual service - providing counseling and other services to students online.

       Berggren lives in Anaheim Hills with his wife, Gail. The couple has two adult daughters, Valerie and Shelly, and two grandchildren. Berggren will take his post at Coast Community College District in July.

       The Coast Community College District is the fourth largest community college district in the nation in credit enrollment, serving 55,000 students each semester. The district is comprised of Coastline Community College headquartered in Fountain Valley, Golden West College in Huntington Beach, Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, and KOCE-TV, the district's public broadcasting station.

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