Wheelhouse 2022 Fellows

Wheelhouse welcomes these California community college CEOs as members of the fifth cohort of the Institute on Leadership.

Trevor Albertson, Superintendent/President, Lassen Community College District
Dr. Trevor Albertson became the Superintendent/President of Lassen Community College District in 2021. Previously, he served in that position on an interim basis and also served as Dean of Instruction. Prior to that, he served as Course Director and as an Assistant Professor for the Department of Airpower (History), Air Command and Staff College at the Air University in Montgomery, Alabama. He earned a Doctorate in World Cultures and History from UC Merced; a Master of Arts in International Affairs from the Catholic University of America; and a Bachelor of Arts from Norwich University.

Melanie Dixon, President, American River College
Melanie Dixon became President of American River College in 2021. Previously, she served as Associate Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Student Success at Los Rios Community College District and as Dean of Student Services at Folsom Lake College. She holds an Associates in Social Science from Portland Community College; a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Portland State University.

Tawny M. Dotson, President, Yuba College
Dr. Tawny Dotson became President of Yuba College in 2020. Previously, she served as Interim Vice President for Instruction and as Vice President for Strategic Development at Clover Park Technical College. Prior to that, she served as President for the Public Information Commission of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges in Washington State. She continues to serve as Lieutenant Colonel in the California Air National Guard. She earned a Doctorate in Education with an emphasis on Community College Leadership from Oregon State University; a Master of Arts in Strategic Communications from the University of Missouri; and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Washington State University.

Angélica Garcia, President, Berkeley City College
Dr. Angélica Garcia assumed the role of President of Berkeley City College in 2020. Previously, she served as Vice President of Student Services and Dean of Counseling, Advising, & Matriculation at Skyline College. Prior to that she served as Assistant Dean for Student Success at Lewis & Clark College and as Director of Student Academic Support Services (High Potential Program, Academic Advising, and Tutoring) at Saint Mary’s College of California. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Equity from San Francisco State University; a Master of Science in Social Work Administration from San Diego State University; and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal and Civic Studies from Saint Mary’s College of California.

Monica Green, President, Norco College
Dr. Monica Green began serving as President of Norco College in 2020, where she had also served as Interim President. Prior to that, she served as Vice President of Planning and Development at Riverside City College; Vice President and Dean of Student Services at Norco College; and Interim Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Services for the Riverside Community College District. She earned a Doctorate in Education from Pepperdine University; a Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling from CSU San Bernardino; and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Social Relations from UC Riverside.

Kevin Horan, President, Crafton Hills College
Dr. Kevin Horan became President of Crafton Hills College in 2019. Previously, Dr. Horan served as the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services at Los Medanos College and as the Executive Dean of the Diablo Valley College San Ramon Campus in the Contra Costa Community College District. He also served in leadership positions at CSU East Bay, Samuel Merritt University and Holy Names University. He holds a Doctorate in Education Leadership from Saint Mary’s College of California; a Master of Science in College Student Personnel from Western Illinois University; and a Bachelor of Arts in Government & Dramatic Arts from Saint Mary’s College of California.

James Limbaugh, President, West Los Angeles College
Dr. James Limbaugh began serving as President of West Los Angeles College in 2016. Previously, Dr. Limbaugh served as Interim President of Oxnard College and as Chancellor of Montana State University-Northern. Prior to that, he served as Vice President for Strategy, Planning, and Policy; interim Vice President of Student Services; and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Angelo State University. He holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Maryland; a Master’s in Counseling from Texas A&M University; Bachelor’s degrees in Business and English from Texas A&M University, and a Bachelor’s degree in History from Frostburg State University in Maryland.

Claudia Lourido-Habib, President, Porterville College
Dr. Claudia Lourido-Habib became President of Porterville College in 2019. Previously, Dr. Habib served as Dean of Career and Technical Education at Reedley College; Dean of Instruction of Fine Performing Arts, Communication and Journalism at Fresno City College; Vice President of Student Services at Reedley College; and Vice President of Instruction at Madera and Oakhurst Community College Centers. Prior to that, she taught for 10 years as a Tenured Faculty at Fresno City College. She holds a Doctorate in Education and Leadership from CSU Fresno; a Master’s in Instructional Technology from National University, and a Bachelor’s in Interior Design from CSU Fresno.

Raúl Rodríguez, Interim Chancellor, San Jose Evergreen Community College District
Dr. Raúl Rodríguez became Interim Chancellor of San Jose Evergreen Community College District in 2022. Previously, Dr. Rodríguez served as Interim Superintendent/President of Hartnell College and Interim President at East Los Angeles College. Prior to that, he served as Chancellor of Rancho Santiago Community College District; Superintendent/President of San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton; President of Los Medanos College; Interim President and Vice President of Instruction at San Jose City College; and Dean of Instruction at Cabrillo College. He earned a Doctorate in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz; a Master’s Degree in School and Applied Psychology from Fairfield University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Bowling Green State University.

Lynn Ceresino Neault, Chancellor, Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District
Dr. Lynn Ceresino Neault assumed the role of Chancellor of Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District in 2020. Previously, she served as Vice Chancellor of Student Services for the San Diego Community College District. Prior to that she served as Interim President of San Diego City College and, for the district, as an administrative analyst in Institutional Research, and served as Director, Associate Director and Coordinator of Student Services. She holds a Doctorate in Education, a Master’s in Public Administration, and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from San Diego State University.

Valentina Purtell, President, North Orange Continuing Education
Valentina Purtell began serving as President of North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE) in 2015. Previously, she served as Interim Provost of NOCE. Prior to that, she served as Dean of Instruction and Student Services at NOCE’s Cypress Center; Program Manager for English as a Second Language at NOCE; and as an instructor at several institutions, including Hope International University, Chapman University, and Rivne State Humanitarian University. She earned a Master’s in Applied Linguistics and a Bachelor’s in Applied Linguistics from the Rivne State Humanitarian University in the Ukraine.

Angel Reyna, President, Madera College
Dr. Angel Reyna became President of Madera College in 2019. Previously, he served as Vice President of Instruction at Renton Technical College. Prior to that, he served as Dean of Workforce Education at Walla Walla Community College; Director of Workforce Education at Yakima Valley Community College; and as mayor and city council member of Mabton, Washington. He holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Northeastern University and a Master’s in Education Administration and Bachelor’s in Education, both from Washington State University.

Mark Sanchez, Superintendent/President, Southwestern College
Dr. Mark Sanchez assumed the role of Superintendent/President of Southwestern College in 2021. Previously, he served as Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Services and College Centers at Cuesta College. Prior to that, he served as Dean of Student Affairs and Student Success at Hartnell College; Dean of Counseling at Fresno City College; and as Director of Student Support Services Programs at Evergreen Valley College. He earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and a Master of Arts in Education Administration from CSU Fresno; a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Point Loma Nazarene University; and an Associate Degree in General Studies from Southwestern College.

Ricky Shabazz, President, San Diego City College
Dr. Ricky Shabazz began serving as President of San Diego City College in 2017. Previously, he served as Vice President of Student Services at San Bernardino Valley College. Prior to that, he served as Dean of Students and Director of Outreach and Relations with Schools at El Camino College Compton Center; Associate Director of Admissions at Harvey Mudd College; MESA Program Director and Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions; and as Assistant Director of Admissions at UC Davis. He holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and a Master of Education in Educational Administration, both from CSU San Bernardino; and a Bachelor of Arts in Native American Studies from the UC Davis.

Julius Sokenu, President, Moorpark College
Dr. Julius Sokenu became President of Moorpark College in 2021. Previously, he served Moorpark College in the roles of Interim President; Acting President; Vice President of Academic Affairs; and Dean of Student Learning, Academic Division. Prior to that, he taught and served as Chair of the English Department at Quinebaug Valley Community College and as Adjunct Faculty at Rhode Island College. He earned a Doctorate in Education from Boston University; a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Arizona State University; a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; and a Bachelor of Arts in English Creative Writing, both from the University of Southern California.

Angelica Suarez, President, Orange Coast College
Dr. Angelica Suarez became President of Orange Coast College in 2019. Previously, she served as Vice President for Student Affairs for the Southwestern Community College District. Prior to that, she served Southwestern College as Acting Superintendent/President; Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs; Academic Dean for the Higher Education Centers in Otay Mesa and San Ysidro; and as Academic Dean at Wilbert Wright Community College. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy from Loyola University Chicago; a Master’s in Counseling Psychology; a Bachelor’s in Psychology, both from CSU Long Beach; and an Associate Degree from East Los Angeles College.