Wheelhouse welcomed these community college leaders as members of
the second cohort of the Institute on Leadership.
Frank Chong, Superintendent/President, Santa Rosa Junior
College
Dr. Frank Chong has been
Superintendent/President of Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC)
since January, 2012. Prior to joining Santa Rosa Junior College,
Dr. Chong served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community
Colleges at the United States Department of Education in
Washington, D.C. helping to shape President Barack Obama’s
community college agenda. From 2006 to 2009, he was President of
Laney College in Oakland, and served as President of Mission
College in Santa Clara from 2003 to 2006. Dr. Chong was Dean of
Student Affairs at San Francisco City College from 1993 to 2003.
He served as Special Assistant to Willie Brown, Speaker of the
California Assembly, from 1987 to 1991. Chong has a Bachelor of
Arts degree from University of California, Berkeley in social
welfare and Asian American Studies, and a Master’s degree in
Public Administration from Harvard University. He also completed
the Educational Management program at Harvard’s Graduate School
of Education, and earned his doctorate (Ed.D) in educational
administration leadership and technology from Dowling College in
Oakdale, New York.
Keith Curry, President/CEO, Compton College
Dr. Keith Curry is the President/CEO
of the Compton College and Compton Community College District.
Dr. Curry is an active member of the Foundation for Compton
Community College District, the Association of California
Community College Administrators, the California Community
College Athletic Association, the Statewide Association of
Community Colleges (SWACC), and the President’s Roundtable. Dr.
Curry has presented at numerous conferences, workshops, and
symposia. His areas of expertise include preparing students for
higher education; bridging the digital divide; establishing
partnerships among postsecondary institutions, and ensuring
access for all students. He is an adjunct faculty member at
California State University Fullerton College of Education. Keith
Curry earned his Bachelor’s Degree in American Studies from the
University of California at Santa Cruz and his doctorate in
Educational Leadership from the University of California at
Irvine.
Tammeil Gilkerson, President, Laney College
Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson is currently
the president of Laney College in Oakland, California. Prior
to her current role, she served as vice president of academic and
student affairs at Contra Costa College and as the first
Diversity, Inclusion and Innovation Officer for the Contra Costa
Community College District. Tammeil has also served as the vice
president of academic affairs at San José City College and Dean
of Counseling and Matriculation at Evergreen Valley
College. Tammeil began her community college career as a
faculty member in psychology-counseling at Chabot College,
serving as the coordinator for the TRIO Student Support Services
program. In addition to her work in community colleges, she
served as the Academy and Education Policy Director at The
Greenlining Institute and in positions at UC Berkeley in the
Office of Student Life and the Early Academic Outreach
Program. Dr. Gilkerson holds a bachelor’s degree in history,
a master’s degree in counseling with an emphasis in marriage and
family therapy and pupil personnel services, and a doctorate in
educational leadership.
Michael Gutierrez, President, Sacramento City
College
Michael Gutierrez has served in a
variety of roles in the Texas system of higher education since
1992. Michael currently serves as Executive Vice President for
Academic Affairs and Student Success at Eastfield College in the
Dallas Community College District. His responsibilities have
included working as a Program Coordinator for the Texas Council
on Vocational Education, a Research Specialist for the Texas
Council on Workforce and Economic Competitiveness, a Grants
Manager for the Dallas Community College District, Director of
the South Irving Center, Assistant to the President for College
and Resource Development at Palo Alto College in the San Antonio
Community College District, Dean of Education Center at Mountain
View College, faculty member in Government at Richland College,
and Executive Dean at Mountain View College. Michael earned a
Bachelor’s degree in History and Latin American Studies from
Princeton University, a Master’s in Public Affairs from the
University of Texas at Austin, and is completing a Doctorate from
Cumberland University in Higher Education.
John Hernandez, President, Santiago Canyon
College
Dr. John C. Hernandez started his
appointment as the fifth president of Santiago Canyon College in
July 2017. Prior to the appointment, he served for one year as
interim president of SCC. Dr. Hernandez started his tenure
at SCC in 2005 as the vice president for student services, where
he was an advocate for increasing opportunities for students and
partnering with others to provide a seamless delivery of support
services. Prior to his tenure at Santiago Canyon College,
John served in the following administrative roles: Associate Vice
President & Dean of Students at Cal Poly Pomona; Associate Dean
for Student Development at Santa Ana College; and Assistant Dean
for Students Affairs at California State University,
Fullerton. Dr. Hernandez holds an associate degree in arts
from Fullerton College; a B.A. in sociology from Cal State
Fullerton; an M.S. in counseling with an emphasis in student
development in higher education from Cal State Long Beach; and a
Ph.D. in college student personnel administration from the
University of Maryland, College Park.
Kindred Murillo, Superintendent/President, Southwestern
College
Dr. Kindred Murillo serves as the
Superintendent/President of Southwestern College, where she is
leading a systemic culture change focused on student completion,
inclusion, and race relations. Serving for five years as the
Superintendent/President of Lake Tahoe Community College, Kindred
worked with the campus and the local community to financially
stabilize the college. Before Tahoe, she served as the Vice
Chancellor of Administrative Services for Contra Costa Community
College District. Kindred also served as the Vice President of
Administrative Services at Pasadena Area Community College
District. She was promoted to Vice President of Finance and
Administrative Services when Copper Mountain Community College
became a separate district and underwent its first accreditation.
Kindred was hired as an adjunct faculty at Desert Community
College District in 1996, served as a full-time faculty member,
and moved into college administration in 2000. Kindred is a
product of the community college system, graduating from Barstow
College with a liberal arts degree. She completed her Bachelor of
Science in Business Administration at Redlands University and
earned a Master of Science in Organization Development and a
doctorate in Organizational Leadership at Pepperdine
University.
Daniel Peck, President, Mission College
Daniel Peck started his position as
president of Mission College in 2014. His professional career
started in the nonprofit and educational sectors, including
United Way. In 2005, Daniel’s career took him to Mission College,
in Santa Clara, California to begin his responsibilities as the
research analyst. Daniel remained with Mission College until
2009, when he accepted an administrative position overseeing
Institutional Research at Foothill College. Daniel was at
Foothill for a brief period, returning to Mission to head the
newly created Office of Research, Planning, and Institutional
Effectiveness. In 2012, Daniel assumed the interim position
of Vice President of Instruction, where he oversaw preparations
for the 2014 accreditation site visit, the hiring of nearly a
dozen new full-time faculty, and the ongoing development of
curriculum and degrees. Later, Daniel moved into his current
position of Mission College President with the goal of providing
stability while continuing forward momentum. Daniel pursued
his education at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana,
where he graduated with a double major Bachelor of Arts in
Sociology and English. Daniel remained at Indiana to begin his
career in education, serving as an instructor for Sociology and
Statistics, and working many years in the Center for Survey
Research while taking an MA in Sociology along the way.
Diana Rodriquez, President, San Bernardino
College
Diana Z. Rodriguez is the 14th
president of San Bernardino Valley College. She is a native of
Southern California and has over 25 years of higher education
experience, with 11 years in senior leadership
positions. Diana served as Vice President of Student
Services and Vice President of Academic Services throughout her
professional journey. She has spent much of her career as a
tenured faculty member and counselor. She has led major grant
funding initiatives and the implementation of campus-wide student
diversity initiatives, which has generated much positive
attention for the colleges and districts of which she has been a
part. She earned an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts from
Palo Verde College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, a Master’s
Degree in Business Administration, and a Master’s Degree in
Education from CSU, San Bernardino.
Luis Sanchez, President, Moorpark College
Luis Pablo Sanchez, JD, became
president of Moorpark College on February 23, 2015. Prior to
that, he was the Vice President of Academic Affairs for Allan
Hancock College in Santa Maria, California from 2011 to 2015.
From 1991 to 2006, he was a full-time professor of law and
taxation at Sierra College, in Rocklin, California, where he was
twice recognized as Outstanding Instructor by the student body,
and then was dean of Business, Technology, and Public Safety from
2006 to 2011. Before that, Mr. Sanchez maintained a private
commercial law practice and taught law part-time at California
State University, Sacramento. He serves on the Board of Directors
of the Ventura County United Way, as well as the Board of
Managers for the Conejo Valley YMCA. Luis received his
Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University,
Sacramento in 1976, his Juris Doctorate degree from the
University of the Pacific (McGeorge School of Law) in 1983, and
his Master’s degree in Business and Tax law from McGeorge Law
School in 1990.
JoAnna Schilling, President, Cypress College
Dr. JoAnna Schilling, is
delighted to serves as the President of Cypress College. She
previously held administrative roles at Cerritos College as Vice
President of Academic Affairs/Assistant Superintendent, and at
Rio Hondo College as Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs,
and the Dean of Arts and Cultural Programs, Continuing and
Contract Education. Schilling served as the co-chair on the
statewide CCCCO Curriculum Inventory project (COCI) and was
elected to the California Chief Instructional Officers (CIO)
Executive Board representing the Orange County/Los Angeles County
region from 2013-2017. Prior to her experience in higher
education, she was a literary associate and educator for the
professional conservatory at South Coast Repertory Theatre. She
is a published author. Dr. Schilling has a doctorate in
education from Oregon State University, an MFA in Playwriting
from Carnegie Mellon University, and a BA in English from Smith
College.
Stephen Schoonmaker, Superintendent/President, College of
the Siskiyous
Dr. Stephen Schoonmaker was selected
as the 12th Superintendent/President of College of the Siskiyous
in 2017. He spent his early career serving public four-year
universities and colleges in progressively responsible positions
in Student Services. In 1992, he moved from higher education to
serve for six years as the Human Rights and Social Services
Analyst for the city of Salem, Oregon. His returned to higher
education in 1998, starting his community college career in New
Mexico; he quickly moved from Student Services to Academic
Affairs at the largest community college in Oregon and rose to
the level of Vice President in Oregon. In 2011 Dr. Schoonmaker
was selected to serve as President of College of the Ouachitas.
In 2016, he formed Cross County Leadership Solutions LLC as a
consulting firm specializing in leadership coaching, strategic
planning, systems thinking, and change management. Stephen
Schoonmaker earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at the
University of Vermont, his Master’s degree in College Student
Personnel Services from Western Illinois University, and
completed his Doctoral degree in Educational Administration with
an emphasis in Community College Leadership in 2004 from New
Mexico State University.
Keith Snow-Flamer, Superintendent/President, College of
the Redwoods
Dr. Keith Snow-Flamer was
named President/Superintendent of College of the Redwoods
effective April 11, 2017. Over the course of his higher education
career he has served in positions as Vice President, Executive
Dean, Dean, and Director. He has gained experience working at
Colleges and Universities, including College of the Redwoods,
McHenry County College and Eastern Washington University. His
breadth of experience has provided him with expertise in
enrollment management, instruction, student development and
support services areas. As an educational leader, he believes
that it is critical to embrace diversity and remain sensitive to
the needs of all students. He supports the success of those who
may be differently abled or who experience social, cultural and
economic orientations and backgrounds different from those
experienced by faculty and staff with whom these students
interact. He firmly believes that diversity is strength—and that
multiculturalism is something to be celebrated, promoted, and
cherished. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Washington
University, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from
Eastern Washington, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in
Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University.
Robin Steinback, President, Moreno Valley
College
Dr. Robin Steinback is the fourth
president of Moreno Valley College. Her professional career
includes Vice Chancellor of Educational Services in Riverside
Community College District, Vice President of Academic Affairs at
Moreno Valley College, Cuyamaca College and Solano Community
College, dean of instruction and tenured faculty at her alma
mater, Mt. San Jacinto College. Dr. Steinback has a
reputation for creating cross-institutional, collaborative, and
innovative teams that seek to transform their institutions,
communities and regional ecosystems. She is ever mindful
that what we do individually and collectively through our
educational programs and support services matter in the lives of
our students, employees, and the communities we serve.
She is a product of the community college system, having
graduated from Mt. San Jacinto College. She attended UC
Riverside, earning an undergraduate degree and a master’s degree
in Sociology. She received her Ph.D. from UCR in Sociology.
Brenda Thames, President, West Hills College
Brenda Thames began her position at
West Hills College Coalinga in February, 2017. Prior to her
current position, she served in a broad spectrum of positions at
Modesto Junior College, American River College and at the Los
Rios Community College District Office. Thames was a 2016-2017
Fellow with the Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community
College Excellence. In 2014, she completed the Harvard University
Institute for Educational Management. Thames earned a Bachelor of
Arts degree with a double major in Sociology and Social Welfare
from University of California, Berkeley, a Master of Arts degree
in Social Work from the University of Southern California, and a
Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from USC. She is
currently a doctoral candidate in Education with a concentration
in Community College Leadership at Oregon State University.
Chris Vitelli, Superintendent/President, Merced
College
Chris Vitelli is currently the
Superintendent/President at Merced College. He has more than
12 years experience in management and administration,
including senior administration-level experience serving in
various capacities, including Chief Student Services Officer
(CSSO), Chief Instructional Officer (CIO), and Accreditation
Liaison Officer (ALO). Vitelli has also served as Dean of
Instruction and interim Vice President of Student Services at
Columbia College in Sonora, California. Other professional
experiences include Director of Student Services for the College
of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Florida
and Director of Business, Industry, and Community Services at
Merced College. Vitelli has led efforts to make “students first”
while at Merced College. As a first-generation college
graduate, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural
Education and Communication at the University of Florida, a
Master of Education in Administration, Planning, and Social
Policy from Harvard University, and he is currently working
toward a doctorate degree at Arizona State University.
Matthew Wetstein, Superintendent/President, Cabrillo
College
Dr. Matt Wetstein was recently
selected to serve as Superintendent/President of Cabrillo College
in Aptos, CA. Prior to his appointment at Cabrillo, he
served as the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of
Instruction and Planning at San Joaquin Delta College (Delta
College) in Stockton, CA, from 2012-2017. His earlier
administrative service included service as an instructional
division Dean and as Dean of Planning, Research and Institutional
Effectiveness at Delta College. He started his academic career as
a political science professor. He has been a statewide
leader in the planning and research field, having served on the
Board and as President of the Research and Planning Group of
California Community Colleges. Dr. Wetstein was a member of
the pioneering class of Aspen Institute Presidential Fellows for
Community College Excellence, a group of 40 community college
leaders selected for training in leadership and transformational
change at U.S. community colleges. He is the
author or co-author of a number of articles and books.
Dr. Wetstein earned a Bachelor’s degree in political science from
the University of St. Francis (Joliet, IL) and a Master’s and
Doctoral degree in political science from Northern Illinois
University (DeKalb, IL).
Michael White, President, Woodland Community
College
Michael White is president of
Woodland Community College. Previously, Dr. White served four
years as Reedley College’s vice president of student services. He
also served Reedley as interim president in 2012 and 2013,
and as a faculty member, department chair, and coach from 1990 to
2009. Across his over 30-year career, Michael has instructional
experience at the high school, community college, and university
levels and has developed expertise in Hispanic Serving
Institutions. He is a graduate of the Society for College and
University Planning (SCUP) Institute. Dr. White received
his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from California State
University, Fresno, and earned a Master of Science degree in
Physical Education with distinction from the University of New
Mexico. He earned a Ryan secondary teaching credential and
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of
California, Davis.
Henry Yong, Chancellor, Yosemite Community College
District
Henry Yong is Chancellor at Yosemite Community College District.
Mr. Yong has served over 30 years in academia, ranging from high
school vocational training, adult education, to community
colleges. Prior to this, he served as the President of Evergreen
Valley College in San Jose for six years. Before that, he served
as the Vice President of Instruction at Taft College for six
years. He also served as the Dean of Academic Programs at Victor
Valley for five years, and three years as the Associate Dean of
Occupational Education at West Hills College. Prior to the
community college, Mr. Yong served as an administrator for the
Regional Occupational Program (ROP) for seven years. Mr. Yong
received M.A. and Ed.S. Degrees in Educational Administration and
Leadership from Loma Linda University. He is working on his Ed.D.
at La Sierra University with a focus on barriers to academic
success for first semester economically disadvantaged students.
Wheelhouse is grateful to the Institutional Effectiveness
Partnership Initiative (California Community College Chancellor’s
Office), the James Irvine Foundation, the College Futures
Foundation, and the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund for
supporting the participation of these distinguished Fellows
in the 2018 Institute on Leadership.