PENDLETON — Blue Mountain Community College has a new chief academic officer.

The college on Oct. 26 announced the hiring of Rebecca Schwartz steps into the role on Dec. 15. Schwartz succeeds Cynthia Azari who has served in an interim capacity as chief academic office since February.

“We are so very fortunate to find someone of Dr. Schwartz caliber to join our team,” BMCC President Mark Browning said. “Her work in student focused programs will help guide our efforts to help our students realize their goals and dreams through focused learning and training.”

“I am excited and honored to begin this new phase of my journey,” Schwartz said in the announcement. “This role is crucial to the vision and direction of instruction that directly impacts students and their success.”

She has served in full-time professional academia since 2008 in various positions in Texas, Utah, Kentucky, and Oregon. Her specialty resides in professional development and training programs, institutional effectiveness, curriculum development and accreditation.

A native of Idaho, Schwartz earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Idaho in Moscow, a Master of Arts degree from Gonzaga University, a second M.A. from Western Kentucky University and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy from the University of Utah.

Schwartz is serving as the dean of Academic Pathways at Columbia Gorge Community College in The Dalles.