Dr. Kendra Jeffcoat

1947 - 2017

Dr. Kendra Jeffcoat July 2, 1947 - February 28, 2017 - San Diego - Dr. Kendra Jeffcoat passed peacefully at home with her husband, Jay, son, Ryan and beloved dog, Buddy, after a three-day visit of her daughter, Kasey. Kendra fought a miraculous four-year battle of Stage IV lung cancer, which metastasized to the brain with a Grand Mal Seizure on January 6, 2013. Born in Glen Ellyn, Ill, Kendra moved with her parents Norma and Harley Kasell to Los Angeles, where Norma managed Kim Novak's Hollywood career. Kendra attended Birmingham H.S. in Encino, where she was an active student leader, head song leader and homecoming queen. She graduated with honors from H.S. and entered UCSB. At UCSB, she pledged Kappa Alpha Theta, was Secretary of the Isla Vista League and became Executive Assistant to the A.S. Student Body President (who three years later became her husband, Jay). From her high school involvement in the Masonic youth organization, Rainbow Girls, Kendra was elected to the California statewide position of Grand Worthy Advisor. She traveled throughout the state, deferring her junior year at the University, giving motivational and leadership speeches to Rainbow Assemblies. Kendra Jeffcoat served as a community college faculty member in Speech, English, and Psychology for 25 years, and a community college administrator for 13 years. She served as Dean of the School of Social/Behavioral Sciences and Multicultural Studies at Mesa College from 2000-2003, before spending a year as the District's Interim Assistant Chancellor of Instructional Services and Economic Development. During her long career in community colleges, she also served as Interim Dean of Student Affairs (Grossmont College), and Vice President of Academic Services (Imperial Valley College). She worked as a member of the Management Development Commission of the Association of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA) and as a member of the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges Board of Governors. Most recently, Kendra served as an Assistant Professor of San Diego State University's Department of Administration, Rehabilitation, and Postsecondary Education, where she taught in its community college doctoral program. She also led the San Diego and Imperial Counties' Community Colleges Association (SDICCCA) Internship program for several years.Even after her medically-required retirement, two and a half years after her diagnosis, Kendra continued her service to the District, often serving as a facilitator for Board and Cabinet retreats, as well as the 2014 joint meeting of the San Diego Community College District and the San Diego Unified School District governing boards. She was also active in service to her community, having served as Club President of the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary, and was recently honored with the Paul Harris Fellow + 6. Kendra served as a Board member of the Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation, and Chair of the Board of the Poway Chamber of Commerce. She was a long time member of her beloved PEO sisterhood in both El Centro and Poway/RB (Chapter UU).She was an active member of the Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church, serving on two Pastor Nominating Committees, the Personnel Committee and recently as a Stephen Minister. Kendra began her college career at UCSB before transferring to UCLA, where she earned a Bachelor and Master of Arts degree in Speech Communication. She received a second Master of Arts degree in Psychology from Connecticut College before receiving her Ph.D. in Industrial Organizational Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology. Kendra is survived by her husband of 48 years, Jay Jeffcoat (Rancho Bernardo, CA), daughter, Jessica "Kasey" Jeffcoat Fritz, husband Lance, his three children Nicholas, Gabi and Jack (San Antonio, TX), son, Ryan Jeffcoat (San Diego, CA), brother, John Kasell (Costa Mesa, CA), sister, Kristen Nikosey, husband Tom (Bell Canyon, CA), three nieces, and a nephew. Her Memorial Celebration will be at the Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church RBCPC on April 1, at 10 A.M. A reception will be held at the church, and Kendra's requested "Big Party" will follow at the Bernardo Winery. In lieu of flowers, Kendra requested that any donations be made to the American Lung Association's Lung Force for Team Kendra: https://goo.gl/kuQ1Qj For further information on all service, reception, location and lodging details please visit: https://KendraJeffcoat.com/