Leading Community Colleges in California artwork

Leading Community Colleges in California

25 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 2 ratings

Community College League of California President & CEO Larry Galizio talks with California Community College leaders about opportunities and challenges facing the system. Get to know some of California's most influential community college leaders and their take on leadership. Each month Dr. Galizio will interview a new community college leader. Episodes will be posted monthly.

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Episodes

Episode 23 with Student Leaders Cassandra Flandre-Nguyen from SSCCC and Nicole Nguyen from CCCT

January 25, 2024 19:00 - 49 minutes - 33.7 MB

In Episode 23, Larry Galizio, Ph.D. visits with statewide student leaders Cassandra Flandre-Nguyen, president, Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC), and Nicole Nguyen, student trustee on the California Community College Trustees (CCCT) Board. They share stories about their personal higher education journeys, insight into issues important issues for community college students, and how their leadership in their organization serves to support 1.9 million students throughout ...

Episode 22 with the Coalition for Transformational Education

September 07, 2023 18:00 - 39 minutes - 26.9 MB

In Episode 22, Larry Galizio, Ph.D. speaks with Keith Buffinton, Ph.D., Executive Director, and Richard K. Miller, Ph.D.,  Founding Chair of the Coalition for Transformational Education, about the mission of the coalition, how it was founded, and the importance higher education has on student lives and mental health after graduation.  Learn more about the Coalition at thecte.org  

Episode 21 with 2023-24 League Leaders Chancellor Julianna Barnes and Trustee Andra Hoffman

July 06, 2023 22:00 - 44 minutes - 30.3 MB

In Episode 21, Larry Galizio, Ph.D., visits with incoming presidents for the Chief Executive Officers of the California Community Colleges (CEOCCC) Board and California Community Colleges Trustees (CCCT) Board. They discuss their enthusiasm for CCC Chancellor Christian's student-centered initiatives, community colleges' roles in supporting California's green economy, and what influenced their leadership journeys. His guests include: Julianna Barnes, Ed.D., Chancellor, South Orange County Co...

Episode 20 with Chancellor Sonya Christian, Ph.D.

June 05, 2023 16:00 - 33 minutes - 23.2 MB

In this episode, League President & CEO Larry Galizio, Ph.D., talks with California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian, Ph.D. She has more than three decades of experience at all levels of community college leadership and is the first woman named to the permanent role leading the 116-college system. Together, they talk about her family's commitment to education, the importance of equity for students and communities, and dual enrollment opportunities as a seamless gateway to colleg...

Episode 19 California Community Colleges' Baccalaureate Degree Program

May 03, 2023 22:00 - 1 hour - 41.6 MB

In this episode, Dr. Larry Galizio talks with California community college leaders as they advocate for baccalaureate degree programs for in-demand careers throughout the state. Together, they discuss the importance of higher education for place-bound students and regional economies, and the community partnerships that affirm the need for these industry-specific degrees. His guests include: Constance M. Carroll, Ph.D., President and CEO of the California Community College Baccalaureate Asso...

Episode 18 with Jennifer Cardone

September 21, 2022 23:00 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MB

In this episode, Dr. Galizio speaks with Jennifer Cardone, Executive Director of the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA), the statewide organization that establishes the rules and regulations that administer intercollegiate athletic activities for our nearly 24,000 student-athletes. Cardone discusses her journey as a former college athlete and first-generation college graduate, including her start in Little League baseball! She has led the CCCAA through the unique chall...

Episode 18 with Jennifer Cardone

September 21, 2022 23:00 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MB

In this episode, Dr. Galizio speaks with Jennifer Cardone, Executive Director of the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA), the statewide organization that establishes the rules and regulations that administer intercollegiate athletic activities for our nearly 24,000 student-athletes. Cardone discusses her journey as a former college athlete and first-generation college graduate, including her start in Little League baseball! She has led the CCCAA through the unique chall...

Episode 17 with Kevin Walthers

June 27, 2022 21:00 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MB

In this episode, Dr. Galizio speaks with Dr. Kevin Walthers, Superintendent/President of Allan Hancock College about a wide variety of subjects, including how his education and experience with state policy led to his transition into higher education. A strong advocate for the community college baccalaureate degree, Dr. Walthers shares his advice for aspiring CEOs and his instrumental role in the League’s professional development programming and state and national advocacy. To hear more from ...

Episode 16 with Barry Snell

May 19, 2022 23:00 - 55 minutes - 38.4 MB

In this episode, Dr. Galizio speaks with Barry Snell, Trustee at Santa Monica College, and Member on the California Community College Trustees Board. Trustee Snell is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and business leader with extensive experience in civic engagement for the Santa Monica and Malibu regions of southern California. Snell, originally from New Jersey, shares what brought him to California, his background as a CPA, and his personal connection to Santa Monica College. In our disc...

Episode 15 with Tammeil Gilkerson

April 12, 2022 22:00 - 43 minutes - 29.9 MB

In this episode, Dr. Galizio speaks with Evergreen Valley College President Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson. President Gilkerson talks about how she views California Community Colleges (CCC) as portals to opportunity for social and economic mobility as well as her own personal and professional journey. We learn of her current role as President at EVC, located in the Evergreen district of East San Jose, and her hopes for the future of California’s community colleges. Additionally, President Gilkerson d...

Episode 14 with Tracey Vackar

March 16, 2022 19:00 - 43 minutes - 30.2 MB

In this episode, Dr. Galizio speaks with Tracey Vackar, Trustee at Riverside Community College District (RCCD) and member of the California Community College Trustees Board. Trustee Vackar currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services for Glendora Unified School District and after 33 years in education she continues to have the same passion and drive for developing workforce engagement training programs. Her extensive K-12 experience, along with her 8-year service wit...

Episode 13 with Gerardo Chavez

February 23, 2022 18:00 - 48 minutes - 33.2 MB

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 the best option for students that need a more affordable and accessible option to explore the m...

Episode 12 with Jee Hang Lee

January 19, 2022 23:00 - 43 minutes - 29.9 MB

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 working for a former Senator doing campaign research, which eventually landed him in Washington D.C....

Episode 11 with Francisco Rodriguez

December 16, 2021 22:00 - 58 minutes - 39.9 MB

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 education, Dr. Rodriguez talks about how he is a product of the educational programs offered in ...

Episode 10 with Marisa Perez

November 18, 2021 17:00 - 43 minutes - 29.7 MB

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 talks about why she ran for the Cerritos College Board of Trustees and her ten years on board. She ...

Episode 9 with Daren Otten

October 20, 2021 23:00 - 48 minutes - 33.3 MB

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 education as a student on the GI bill and his mother was an English teacher. Following several ...

Episode 8 with Deborah Ikeda

September 29, 2021 22:00 - 50 minutes - 35 MB

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 experience as Japanese Americans and her background with the Chicago City Colleges. Trustee Ikdea ...

Episode 7 with Eric Bishop

August 18, 2021 19:00 - 39 minutes - 27.1 MB

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 to bolster fall enrollment. In addition, he explains why he believes 'equity' is a verb and how ...

Episode 6 with Andra Hoffman

July 20, 2021 23:00 - 49 minutes - 33.8 MB

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 better support student-parents and provide opportunities for upward social mobility. Trustee Hoffm...

Episode 5 with Pam Luster and Keith Curry

June 15, 2021 20:00 - 1 hour - 43.3 MB

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 and Curry discuss work-life balance, burnout, and ways to stay energized and motivated about the...

Episode 4 with Pam Haynes

April 26, 2021 04:00 - 59 minutes - 41 MB

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 advice for new trustees that have recently entered into their role.  

Episode 3 with Frank Chong

April 07, 2021 21:00 - 48 minutes - 33.1 MB

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 Education under the Obama Administration. He also discusses the importance of Asian Americans bein...

Episode 2 with Ken Brown

January 29, 2021 07:00 - 46 minutes - 31.6 MB

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.

Episode 1 with Constance Carroll

December 15, 2020 20:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MB

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. 

Trailer

December 06, 2020 07:00 - 29 seconds - 390 KB