The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District has two key leadership positions to fill next year.

A search is under way for a new chancellor to oversee the two-college district. Longtime Chancellor Omero Suarez plans to retire early next year. The search for a permanent president for Cuyamaca College will begin later this year.

The district's governing board was expected to ratify the appointment of Cristina Chiriboga as interim president of Cuyamaca College for one year at its Tuesday meeting at the Rancho San Diego campus. Chiriboga has been vice president of instruction at the college for more than 12 years.

The president position became vacant after the recent departure of Geraldine Perri, who took over as superintendent/president of Citrus College in Glendora. She had been president of Cuyamaca College since 2002.

The board plans to hire a chancellor before hiring a president for Cuyamaca College, board President Bill Garrett said.

The board wants the new chancellor to weigh in on who will lead Cuyamaca College, said Garrett, who plans to run for re-election in November.

“It makes more sense for the new chancellor to make that selection,” Garrett said.

Garrett said he expects a chancellor to be named no later than March 1. Suarez plans to step down as chancellor Feb. 28 and will work as a district consultant until June 30.

A search committee is working with a consultant to look for candidates.

Ventura-based Community College Search Services is aiding with the search. The consultant helped find a president for Grossmont College last year.