1st female president hired

In their latest step to bring the school into line with accrediting standards, Vanguard University officials have appointed a new permanent president, the first woman to have the job in the school’s nearly 90-year history.

The university’s Board of Trustees appointed interim-President Carol Taylor on Friday as the university’s official president. In that role she will be the face of the university come June when it faces possible sanctions on its accreditation.

Vanguard University has been undergoing broad shake-ups since fall, when a report issued by the Western Assn. of Schools and Colleges questioned school administrators’ ability to lead and the Board of Trustees’ comprehensive understanding of the issues. The school is struggling financially with revenue barely covering its expenses and a debt of more than $40 million.

Since then, the university has taken gradual steps to align itself with the association’s recommendations, with top leaders resigning and Taylor taking over, and a shrinking of the board being suggested, school officials said.

There are about 40 trustees on the university board, but that could shrink to between 15 and 30, with some of them being leaders with business and college backgrounds, officials said.

The association was scheduled to make a ruling on Vanguard’s accreditation in late February, but after meeting with Taylor, university Chief Financial Officer Bob Allison and board members, the organization opted to hold off on a ruling until June. School leaders are expected to make their case at that meeting to maintain their accreditation.

Even if the association rules against Vanguard, it would only be put into a probationary period and would still be on a path to correct its shortcomings.

If Vanguard loses its accreditation, it would be years down the road, school leaders said.

Reporter JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.