Leading Community Colleges in California

In this episode, Dr. Galizio speaks with Gerardo Chavez, President of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges. President Chavez discusses his background as an immigrant from El Salvador, his passion for history, the issues confronting students and the benefits of attending a California Community College. Although attending a community college was his only choice, Chavez believes it is...

In this episode, Dr. Galizio speaks with Jee Hang Lee, President and CEO of The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) in Washington D.C. After a decade and a half with ACCT, Jee Hang ascended to the presidency on November 1, 2021. He is our first non-California guest but one with  roots in the Golden State where his family immigrated when he was 4 years old. Lee grew up in San Jose work...

In this episode, Dr. Galizio speaks with Francisco Rodriguez, Chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District, the largest district in the United States. Dr. Rodriguez reflects on a variety of subjects that led him to his current role, including growing up in San Francisco’s Mission District, the time he spent at UC Davis, and his commitment to equity. Although he didn’t have leanings to...

In this episode, Dr. Galizio speaks with Cerritos Community College District Trustee Marisa Perez. Trustee Perez is a dedicated and community focused public servant, a STEM educated champion, and an advocate for equity throughout the California Community College system. Join us for this conversation with California Community College Trustees (CCCT) Board President-Elect Marisa Perez, where she tal...

Dr. Galizio speaks with Dr. Daren Otten, Superintendent/President at Copper Mountain Community College. Dr. Otten talks about the challenges and opportunities of leading a small rural college in California, what led him to his current role, and even how his triathlon and training supports his work. Born on the east coast, President Otten traveled westward with his family. His father pursued higher...

Dr. Galizio speaks with State Center Community College District Trustee Deborah Ikeda about her leadership both at the state and national levels. At the state level, she currently serves as President of the APITA Caucus and is a member of the CCCT Board. In this episode, we hear Trustee Ikeda’s unique perspective having served as a college president and now as a trustee. She shares her family’s ex...

Dr. Galizio speaks with Ohlone College Superintendent/President Dr. Eric Bishop. Last year, Dr. Bishop joined a unique cohort of college presidents that began their presidency during the pandemic. President Bishop talks about the challenges he’s encountered with leading a college without having met many of his faculty and staff in person, and the various strategies his institution has implemented...

Dr. Galizio chats with Los Angeles Community College District Trustee Andra Hoffman about her experience becoming a trustee at the largest community college district in the state and the challenges she faced in leading the board during the pandemic as the only woman on a 7-member board.  She recounts her long journey toward earning an undergraduate degree and explains how community colleges can be...

Dr. Galizio talks with the Equity Avengers: San Diego Mesa College President Dr. Pam Luster and Compton College President Dr. Keith Curry about their journeys as community college CEOs and how their equity-driven partnership has evolved. They give advice on how to become an equity-minded leader and share insights into their own approaches to leadership and relationship-building. Presidents Luster...

Dr. Galizio talks with Pam Haynes, California Community Colleges Board of Governors (BOG) President and Trustee at Los Rios Community College District. President Haynes talks about her time at Santa Monica College as a student, what led up to her post-secondary degree at Harvard University, and her involvement in re-districting Sacramento. They discuss her priorities as BOG President and her advic...

Dr. Galizio chats with Santa Rosa Junior College President/Superintendent Frank Chong about his life experience as an American-Born Chinese from New York City growing up during the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. Chong shares his journey to becoming a college president and talks about his background in politics and tenure as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Colleges at the U.S. Department of Ed...

Dr. Galizio speaks with El Camino College Trustee Ken Brown about his time at Morehouse College and how he landed his engineering position at Northrop Grumman. Trustee Brown talks about social justice and shares his take on CEO and board relations.

For the first episode of the Leading Community Colleges in California Podcast, Dr. Galizio interviews Constance Carroll, Chancellor of the San Diego Community College District. Dr. Carroll has over 40 years of experience in higher education leadership and is a state and national advocate for the community college baccalaureate degree.