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CIO NEWS & VIEWS The Newsletter of the CCCCIO Ed Buckley, Editor OCTOBER 2016 ([email protected]) VOLUME XII, NUMBER 1 “Right leader at the right time. .” Long Beach Superintendent-President to Be First Latino Community Colleges Chancellor Dr. Eloy Ortiz Oakley will become the first Latino to lead the California Community Colleges, and is himself a community college success story. After serving four years in the U.S. Army, he enrolled at Golden West College. He then transferred to the University of California, Irvine where he received his degrees of Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Analysis and Design and Master of Dr. Eloy Ortiz Oakley Business Administration. Oakley, who has served as superintendent-president N&V: What primarily motivated you to put your hat in of the Long Beach Community College District since the ring for the CCC Chancellor position? 2007, is nationally known for his development of the EO: I am a native Californian and a product of a com- Long Beach College Promise, which brings high school munity college, so I have a clear understanding of the and college administrators and instructors together to importance of our colleges to our state. I see so many create pathways for students transitioning from K-12 to students just like me attending our colleges and that higher education. Among his many fans is Long Beach is what motivates me to get involved in the position of City College Academic president Karen Kane who gives chancellor. (continued on next page) Dr. Oakley high praise for having “the right vision and the ability to see things that other people don’t see. And he lays it out there and has the patience to wait for most people to catch In This Issue up and understand where it is he’s trying to News & Views Chats with New Chancellor ............ 1 go. He’s the right leader at the right time.” Meet the Magnificent Eleven .................... 3 Huge District Gets 15 Minutes of Fame .............. 9 Senior Secretary Walks Extra Mile ................. 14 President’s Message ......................... 16 The Greatest Show .......................... 17 News from Pamela Walker ...................... 18 2 CIO NEWS & VIEWS (continued from previous page) N&V: As I’m sure you know, the CIOs and others are N&V: You have been widely praised for developing very concerned about the future of the accreditation the Long Beach Promise. How does it work? Is it process in California. What steps will you take to “scalable”? resolve the ongoing controversies and improve the EO: Of course the initiative is scalable. Working with process? local education and community partners is not only EO: Accreditation happens at the local colleges so scalable, it should be an expectation. The partnership the leadership on this issue must come from the local in Long Beach works because there is commitment— colleges. Having said that, I will actively engage with this is not complicated. all of the interested parties to move us beyond the rancor and to focus on continuous improvement and N&V: You have said that we need to redouble our academic quality. efforts as a system to ensure that every student in California has the opportunity to obtain a college N&V: First-generation college student, four years of credential. How do we go about it? Army service, community college graduate (Golden EO: By taking responsibility for every student on West College), bachelors and masters degrees from our campuses, by building guided pathways for our UC Irvine. How did all those new challenges and students and by holding ourselves accountable for experiences shape you? eliminating barriers for our students. EO: Those experiences have helped shape everything I do as a leader. My journey was made possible because of N&V: It’s not news that California’s community great advising, great mentoring, and a structured path- colleges were hit hard by the recession, with more than way. I was no different than any other students attend- $1 billion in funding cuts. What are the first two or ing our colleges. However, I was lucky. Luck should not three most significant actions you will consider taking play a huge role in college success. That sticks with me. to address the systems financial situation? EO: Do the most with the money we have. We must N&V: Who have been your primary mentors, and make better use of every dollar that is invested in our how have they been helpful to you personally and/or colleges. Beyond that, I will work with the leadership professionally? in Sacramento to improve the predictability of funding EO: I have had more mentors than I can name, and for our colleges and look at improving the growth for- they have all helped me see a part of myself that I didn’t mula so that we can target funding in ways that align see before. They also allowed me to believe that I do with the needs of the regions in our state. belong at the table and that has always motivated me. N&V: According to a recent UC Davis study, about a N&V: Given the huge tasks you have taken on, how do quarter of the system’s CEOs plan to retire in a year, you keep sane and healthy? with another 30% probably retiring within the next EO: Sane? I am still looking for that answer. Laughing three years. About half of the CEOs cite conflict with at the absurdity of what we deal with is what usually boards as the reason they are leaving or retiring. Do keeps me sane. Other than that, I try to get out of my you see a role for the Chancellor’s Office to address this office, get some exercise, and leave today’s problems for potential loss of executive leadership? tomorrow because they will always be there. EO: Absolutely. The Chancellor can play a role in improving the professional development for current N&V: Who are your heroes? and future presidents as well as with local boards so EO: Lincoln, both Roosevelts, Reagan, that they better understand how to pick and retain a Thatcher, Pat Brown. college president. (continued on next page) THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CCCCIO 3 N&V: That’s a fascinating and diverse cast of charac- N&V: Thank you for taking the time to talk with us! ters. What qualities do you think they share? EO: You’re welcome! EO: They all took risks while leading through difficult times. N&V: Tell us about your family. Are they excited about your taking on this new role? EO: I have a wonderful family that keeps me pushing for- ward each and every day. I wouldn’t be here without them. Meet Our New CIOs Dr. Yu was a tenured faculty member in Engineering and Math at Evergreen Valley College and an adjunct faculty member at San Jose State University before taking the position of Interim Vice President of Instruction at Laney. John’s comment: “I was attracted by the strong leadership at Peralta headed by Chancellor Dr. Laguerre, the challenges faced by the Laney College, and the opportunities to make a contribution. The strong academic and CTE programs at Laney as well as the diversity of the student population are also factors contributing to my taking the position there. I would very much like to learn from the seasoned CIOs.” Dr. Zhanjing (John) Yu Vice President of Instruction (Interim) Laney College Pat Selzer’s discipline as an instructor was Music. He served 17 years as a music instructor and department chair at Cuyamaca prior to becoming an administrator. Pat’s comment: “After serving as the Dean for Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences for three years, I felt like I was sufficiently prepared to step up to fill the interim vacancy when our CIO took a position at another college. I hope that my many years of experience at the college can provide continuity during our search for a permanent CIO.” Pat Selzer Interim Vice President of Instruction Cuyamaca College (continued on next page) 4 CIO NEWS & VIEWS Krista’s academic discipline is Law, and her faculty experience is primarily in law. At the community college, she has taught in business. She has also held various instructional assignments such as director of curriculum and program lead/coordinator. Krista’s comment: “The position of Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Student Success at the Chabot- Las Positas Community College District is providing me the opportunity to advance student success through collaboration with college leadership and in district wide initiatives. Chancellor Jannett Jackson is a forward-looking educator whose vision of excellence creates a setting for innovation and Krista R. Johns, JD high performance across the district. I am excited to be part of a team of administrators, faculty, and classified professionals Vice Chancellor, Education who are committed to the community college mission and to Services and Student Success high quality education!” Chabot-Las Positas Community College District Dr. Lolland’s academic discipline is Business. Before becoming an administrator Dr. Lolland taught accounting and worked 11 years in private industry as a Chief Financial Officer, Controller, and Accountant. Sonja’s comment: “I am fortunate to have worked for the last 19 years at a California Community College and I feel this segment of the higher education system is critical to our state’s success. I am committed to ensuring that all students have access to outstanding academic and student support services. I moved into a CIO role so that I could have a broader impact and more directly impact policy decisions.” Sonja Lolland, Ed.D. Vice President of Academic and Student Services Yuba College (continued on next page) THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CCCCIO 5 Pamela Ralston taught American Ethnic Studies, Comparative Literature, English, and Reading at the University of Washington and Tacoma Community College in Washington State for 10 years prior to moving to Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, CA to serve as the Dean of Academic Affairs: Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences for eight years.

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