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Steven Bloomberg, Chancellor, Kern Community
College District
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 In December of 2024, Dr. Steven
Bloomberg was selected to serve as the 7th Chancellor in
the history of the Kern Community College District (Kern
CCD), which serves students across 24,800 square miles of
the Southern San Joaquin Valley. He has more than 30 years
of experience as an administrator of higher education,
starting in 1994 as the Workforce Development Director for
Cerro Coso Community College, which is one of Kern CCD’s
three sister colleges, as well as extensive experience in
workforce development, community outreach, and continuing
education.
Before returning to Kern, Dr. Bloomberg was previously the
president of Southeast Arkansas College, where he led the
college through many high-profile initiatives such as
inmate education, innovative career pathway development,
and opening the first phase of housing on the Southeast
Arkansas campus.
During his tenure as Kern CCD Chancellor, Dr. Bloomberg has
exemplified servant leadership and strategic foresight,
fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and
innovation across the District’s three colleges. He has
maintained a strong commitment to open communication
through ongoing town hall meetings and focus groups with
campus stakeholders, ensuring that organizational culture
remains responsive and student-centered. Under his
leadership, Kern CCD developed a comprehensive five-year
strategic plan to advance student success and align
district priorities with the Vision 2030 initiative of the
California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.
Demonstrating his focus on leadership development and
talent cultivation, Dr. Bloomberg launched the Kern CCD
Supervisory Leadership Institute to strengthen
collaboration among directors, deans, and administrators at
Bakersfield College, Porterville College, and Cerro Coso
College. Further extending this vision, he introduced the
College Discovery Academy, an innovative initiative
designed to expand early college access and create new
pathways for student engagement and achievement across the
region.
As a former student whose life was transformed by his time
at Kern CCD, Dr. Bloomberg’s background and philosophy
align with the district’s goals of retaining students,
increasing enrollments, and preparing the Southern San
Joaquin Valley workforce for new careers in emerging
technologies. Chancellor Bloomberg has a Ph.D. in Higher Ed
Administration from the American College of Education, as
well as a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology from
West Texas A&M.
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Monica Chahal, President, Diablo Valley
College
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 Dr. Monica Chahal is a
distinguished educator and leader with over three decades
of service in the California Community College system. Her
career reflects an unwavering commitment to equity, social
justice, and student success. From her early roles as a
classified professional and faculty member to her current
leadership as an administrator, Dr. Chahal has championed
transformative initiatives with a focus on students. She
has spearheaded strategic planning, enrollment management,
and post-pandemic recovery efforts, while securing critical
resources such as a Title V grant to advance Latinx student
success in STEM. Additionally, she has strengthened
partnerships with local businesses and educational
institutions to expand transfer pathways and workforce
opportunities, promoting economic mobility for students.
Recognizing that an institution’s greatest asset is its
people, she prioritizes fostering trust and collaboration
to ensure a positive and respectful workplace for all.
Dr. Chahal earned degrees in English from UC Davis and CSU
Sacramento as well as an EdD in Educational Leadership from
UC Davis. The proud daughter of immigrants who were also
educators, she credits her parents for instilling in her a
deep respect for the power of education. She currently
serves as the President at Diablo Valley College and is the
first Sikh American to serve in this capacity in the
California Community College system.
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Beatriz Chaidez, Chancellor, San
José Evergreen Community College District
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 Dr. Beatriz S. Chaidez is the
Chancellor of the San Jose Evergreen Community College
District (SJECCD). In this role, she provides visionary
leadership to advance the district’s mission of educational
excellence, equity, and student success. She works closely
with trustees, faculty, staff, and community partners to
strengthen student pathways, ensure fiscal responsibility,
and foster an inclusive environment where diversity is
celebrated and innovation thrives.
Dr. Chaidez brings more than two decades of experience in
public education, spanning K–12 and higher education. She
began her career as a classroom teacher in a Two-Way
Bilingual Immersion program, later teaching elementary
through high school, including English Language Development
(ELD). She went on to serve in multiple leadership roles:
principal of her alma mater, Tranquillity High School;
Superintendent/Principal of Raisin City Elementary School
District; Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and
Instruction at Sacramento City Unified School District; and
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at Salinas City
Elementary School District. Prior to becoming Chancellor,
she served as Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources
at SJECCD.
Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts from
California State University, Fresno, a Master of Arts from
Fresno Pacific University, and a Doctorate in Educational
Leadership from the University of California, Davis.
Dr. Chaidez is deeply rooted in family and community. She
is married to Juan Manuel Chaidez, a fellow educator and
retired principal of Lincoln Elementary School in Salinas,
California. Together, they are the proud parents of their
son, Juan de Dios.
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Gilbert Contreras, President, San
Bernardino Valley College
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 Gilbert J. Contreras, Jr.
serves as the 15th President of San Bernardino Valley
College with more than eighteen years of leadership
experience in the California community college system.
Dr. Contreras leads San Bernardino Valley College as the
college celebrates its centennial year. He has championed
the Valley Up! Initiative, 2025-30, emphasizing strategic
planning, embracing the rich diversity that defines San
Bernardino, and leveraging Valley College as a community
institution.
Prior to working in the community college system, Dr.
Contreras applied his expertise in housing, community, and
economic development in various capacities for municipal,
non-profit, and research stakeholders. His vocation to
enhance leadership in higher education around equity,
access, and student success outcomes for all students
aligns with the mission, vision, values, and strategic
planning goals of the California Community College
system.
Supplementing his leadership experience in the California
community college system, Dr. Contreras’ teaching
experience crosses all levels of the educational system
from high school to doctoral programs. His scholarly work
focuses on Hispanic Serving Institutions, educational
equity, and community development. Dr. Contreras has
co-authored publications in leading journals emphasizing
the community college experience at AERA, ASHE and
AAHHE.
Dr. Contreras earned a Ph.D. from UCLA in the Department of
Urban Planning where he studied the interdependence of
cities and educational institutions in fostering safe
learning environments. He earned a Masters in City Planning
from MIT with an emphasis on Housing, Community, and
Economic Development and a B.A. in Interdisciplinary
Studies with a minor in City Planning from UC Berkeley.
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Jonathan Eldridge, Superintendent/President,
College of Marin
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 Jonathan Eldridge, Ed.D serves
as College of Marin’s 11th Superintendent/President. He
came to the College in 2013 and most recently served as the
College’s Assistant Superintendent/Vice President for
Student Learning & Success. Dr. Eldridge supports a diverse
group of faculty, staff, and administrators to create a
truly coherent and integrated educational program for
students. His commitment to student success is rooted in
recognizing historical and systemic disparities in
opportunity and outcomes and ensuring resources are
directed at eliminating those disparities. At College of
Marin Dr. Eldridge has developed and nurtured partnerships
with countless community organizations to allow the College
to deliver on its mission of providing equitable
opportunities and fostering success for all members of our
diverse community.
Dr. Eldridge received a BA in History from Central
Washington University, graduating from CWU’s William O.
Douglas Honors College. His MS is in student affairs in
higher education from Colorado State University and his
doctorate is in organizational change and leadership from
the University of Southern California. He previously served
as Dean of Students at Lewis & Clark College and Vice
President for Student Affairs at Southern Oregon
University. These experiences have been invaluable in
informing his work at College of Marin.
Dr. Eldridge served on the NASPA Board of Directors from
2005-2007, United Way of Jackson County Board of Directors
from 2007-2012, Marin Economic Forum from 2019-2024, Board
of Directors of 10,000 Degrees from 2015-2024, and
currently serves on the North Bay Leadership Council and
San Rafael Chamber of Commerce.
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Carole Goldsmith, Chancellor, State
Center Community College District
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 Dr. Carole Goldsmith was named
Chancellor of State Center Community College District on
January 1, 2022. As Chancellor, she has led work so the
District delivers on its promise to students, faculty,
staff and community to be a welcoming place for all where
everyone belongs. To that, she oversaw adoption of the
District’s new mission, vision, and values to reflect the
focus of the District and its campuses.
Her leadership has delivered a balanced budget that
supports District goals, and an alignment of curriculum to
deliver the best possible outcomes for students while
ensuring there are tools and resources to support student
success. Local, state, and national partnerships developed
by Dr. Goldsmith are providing coordinated opportunities
for faculty and staff to be as effective as possible, while
boosting student achievement and District resources.
Serving as President of Fresno City College from 2016 to
2021, Dr. Goldsmith brought extensive experience from her
13 years at West Hills Community College District,
including her tenure as President of West Hills College
Coalinga.
Dr. Goldsmith earned a bachelor’s degree in history from
California State University, Fresno, a master’s degree in
educational administration from National University, and a
doctorate in higher education leadership from the joint
doctoral program at Fresno State and UC Davis.
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José Gómez, Superintendent/President, Pasadena
City College
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José A. Gómez, Ph.D., serves as superintendent-president
of Pasadena City College (PCC), one of the nation’s
leading community colleges. A champion for educational
opportunity and economic mobility, Dr. Gómez is committed
to expanding pathways that help students transfer,
complete degrees, and succeed in the workforce while
strengthening PCC’s longstanding mission of serving the
public good.
Under his leadership, PCC ranks first in California for
transfers to the University of California and California
State University systems and leads the state in Transfer
Success Pathway dual-admission agreements. The college is
also among the top producers of Associate Degrees for
Transfer. Military Times consistently ranks PCC as the
nation’s most military-friendly community college, and
Pasadena City College has been recognized among the
nation’s top community colleges through the Aspen Prize
for Community College Excellence. PCC is designated as
both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American
and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution
and was recently recognized by the State of California as
a Black-Serving Institution in acknowledgment of its
commitment to the success of Black students. Dr. Gómez
has also prioritized expanding career technical education
to strengthen pathways for students while supporting the
regional workforce and communities affected by
devastating wildfires.
Prior to joining PCC, Dr. Gómez served as executive vice
president, provost, and chief operating officer at
California State University, Los Angeles. Earlier in his
career, he served as higher education adviser to the
president pro tempore of the California Senate and as
executive director of the California Educational
Facilities Authority. He also held senior leadership
roles in the California Department of Justice and the
State Treasurer’s Office.
A first-generation college student raised in the San
Gabriel Valley, Dr. Gómez began his higher education
journey at Mt. San Antonio College and Citrus College
before transferring to Cal Poly Pomona. He holds master’s
degrees in political science and public administration
and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of
Southern California.
Dr. Gómez has received Cal Poly Pomona’s Distinguished
Alumnus Award and the Western Justice Center’s Movement
Builder Award and was recognized by the Pasadena Unified
School District for his service and dedication to PUSD
students. He serves on the WASC Senior College and
University Commission, the Board of Directors of the
Western Justice Center Foundation, and the Board of
Directors of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, where
he chairs the Social Impact Council.
He resides in Pasadena, California, with his family.
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Frank
Nigro, Superintendent/President, Shasta
College
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 Dr. Frank Nigro became
Superintendent/President of Shasta College in July 2024.
But his involvement with the district began in 1997, when
he was hired as a full-time English instructor. His 15
years as an instructor were characterized by leadership
in international education, instructional technology
implementation, and participatory governance. Dr. Nigro’s
good work led to an Excellent Educator Award in 2006 and
a state Hayward Award in 2007.
In 2012, he entered administration, becoming Dean of
Shasta College’s division of Science, Language Arts and
Mathematics. He then served as the Assistant
Superintendent/Vice President of Instruction from 2017 to
2024. In his time as the chief instructional officer, Dr.
Nigro pushed to clarify pathways for students and to
improve faculty evaluation processes and professional
development opportunities.
The youngest of five siblings, Dr. Nigro was the first to
complete college and did so with the guidance of faculty
mentors and by working dozens of jobs to finance his
education. Growing up in Paradise, California, he
attended California State University, Chico, where he
majored in English and minored in German. He completed
his doctorate at Vanderbilt University in Nashville,
Tennessee. His studies include 2.5 years at the Johannes
Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany, and the Freie
University of Berlin, Germany. He has also lived for
extended periods in Switzerland and Japan.
Despite having called many places home, Dr. Nigro says
the North State has always been the home in his heart,
and this is his community. Along with his wife he is
raising two children who attend school in Redding. Dr.
Nigro is proud to work at Shasta College, he’s passionate
about our mission, and he looks forward to helping every
student realize their full potential so they can achieve
the same kind of educational transformation that he
himself experienced.
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Shouan Pan, Chancellor, Yuba Community
College District
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 Dr. Shouan Pan is a recognized
community college leader, with significant teaching,
student services, and administrative experience in diverse
community college settings. He was appointed as Chancellor
of Yuba Community College District in June 2023. Prior his
current role, he served as Chancellor of Seattle Colleges,
President of Mesa Community College, Provost of Broward
College, South Campus, Executive Dean of Instruction and
Student Services at Florida State College at
Jacksonville.
As an immigrant, Dr. Pan is deeply passionate about serving
the community college mission. Across his 35-year community
college career, he has intentionally leveraged his various
executive roles to champion for educational equity for
historically under-served students and to support community
workforce and economic development.
Dr. Pan has been actively engaged at both national and
local levels, including prior service on the Board of
Directors for American Association of Community Colleges,
League for Innovation in the Community College, Higher
Education Research and Development Institute, National
Asian Pacific Islander Council, Arizona Commission for
Post-secondary Education, and others.
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Manuel Alejandro Pérez, President, College of San
Mateo
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 Dr. Manuel Alejandro Pérez is a
first-generation scholar practitioner with 20+ years of
experience in higher education across the California State
University (CSU), University of California (UC), California
Community College, and private university systems. He
received his undergraduate degrees from Santa Clara
University in Communication Studies and Ethnic Studies, his
Master’s degree from San Diego State University in
Communication Studies, and his Doctorate of Education from
the University of San Francisco. Dr. Pérez is a proud
graduate of the 2021-2022 Hispanic Association of Colleges
& Universities (HACU) La Academia de Liderazgo and the very
first cohort of the Wheelhouse Advancing Leaders Institute
in 2023. In summer 2024, he assumed his role as President
for College of San Mateo (CSM). As the first openly-queer
and Latine President for the College, he is fueled by a
sense of responsibility to remove barriers, act with
important urgency, and engage with community to make
impactful change. Imagination and coalition-building are
core values of his leadership. He credits his passion for
dynamic social change on his upbringing as a
first-generation son from a migrant, immigrant, and
Spanish-speaking household. His family heritage and strong
ties to the Pacific coast region of México are parts of his
background that he shares proudly in his service to the
College and broader campus community. These experiences
inform his commitment to lead with corazón and conviction
in pursuit of justice and liberation.
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James Preston, President, Lemoore College
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 Mr. James Preston has served as
the President of Lemoore College since January 2022 and has
30 years of experience in the educational field. His career
includes 17 years as a faculty member and 13 years in
various administrative leadership roles including time as
the Vice President of Instruction (VPI) and Accreditation
Liaison Officer (ALO). Throughout his tenure, Mr. Preston
has demonstrated a deep commitment to Lemoore College’s
vision of the “relentless pursuit of student success,”
championing efforts to create an inclusive, accessible, and
student-centered learning environment. Under his
leadership, the college has implemented several key
initiatives, including innovative professional development
for faculty, enhanced program and curriculum support
through the Guided Pathways model, and strategic growth in
Open Educational Resources (OER). He has also overseen the
expansion of Zero-Textbook Cost (ZTC) degrees and
certificates, ensuring equitable access to education by
reducing financial barriers for students. In addition to
his work at Lemoore College, Mr. Preston is actively
engaged in statewide efforts to advance educational
affordability. He recently served as the CEO representative
on the Chancellor’s Office Taskforce for Burden-Free
Instructional Materials and completed his second year on
the statewide Affordability Taskforce as a regional CEO
representative. Mr. Preston’s leadership reflects his
unwavering dedication to student success and educational
innovation.
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Pamela Ralston, President, Los Medanos
College
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 For over 25 years in public
higher education, Pamela Ralston has championed the
transformative role of community colleges for students,
faculty, and communities. She is dedicated to advancing
student success and equity through innovative programs and
supportive working environments.
Dr. Ralston currently serves as President of Los Medanos
College. She previously held leadership roles as President
of Santiago Canyon College, Executive Vice President of
Educational Programs at Santa Barbara City College, Vice
President for Student Learning at College of the Desert,
and Dean of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Cuesta
College. Earlier in her career, she was a faculty member
and division chair of English and Written Communications at
Tacoma Community College, teaching composition, American
Ethnic Literature, and developmental studies.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the
University of Oregon and master’s and doctoral degrees in
Comparative Literature from the University of Washington.
Her academic career includes teaching in Comparative
Literature, English, and American Ethnic Studies, as well
as earning teaching awards at both Tacoma Community College
and the University of Washington. She was also a
pre-doctoral Fulbright fellow in Denmark.
A committed advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion,
Dr. Ralston has led initiatives to expand access and
achievement for first-generation students of color,
spearheaded curricular redesign and student services
innovation, and strengthened civic and industry
partnerships.
Pamela lives with her wife, Chris, in Pittsburg. They enjoy
walks with their pugs, reading, cooking, and community
service.
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Kellie Sims Butler, Superintendent/President,
Solano Community College
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 Dr. Kellie Sims Butler is the
12th and first Black woman Superintendent-President of
Solano Community College (SCC). She brings two decades of
experience that spans classified staff, faculty, and senior
administration. Her previous posts include Vice President
of Student Services at Folsom Lake College, Assistant
Professor of Political Science at Penn State, Executive
Director of Civic Engagement and Undergraduate Research at
Rice University, Assistant Dean of the Graduate Division at
UC Davis, and Dean of Student Services at Folsom Lake
College.
A proud first-generation college graduate, Dr. Sims Butler
centers her leadership on equity and social mobility for
BIPOC students, students with disabilities, those from
historically marginalized communities, and anyone
confronting disproportionate barriers to higher education.
Guided by the maxim “to whom much is given, much is
required,” she credits mentors who opened doors for her and
is committed to “paying it forward” for the next
generation.
At Solano Community College she champions:
• Embedding equity across teaching and support
services.
• Comprehensive, student-centered resources that remove
barriers to completion.
• Robust partnerships with regional employers to align
programs with high-demand fields such as biotech, advanced
manufacturing, automotive, aviation and healthcare.
Under her leadership, SCC is forging strategic partnerships
with regional employers, K-12 districts, and community
organizations to equip graduates with industry-valued
skills and credentials to meet the evolving workforce needs
of Solano County and the greater Bay Area.
Married with two adult children, Dr. Sims Butler is poised
to advance SCC’s mission to serve Solano County while
preparing the next generation for an inclusive, resilient
workforce.
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Scott Thayer, President, Cypress College
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 Dr. Scott W. Thayer is the 13th
President of Cypress College. During his 28 years in higher
education, he has advocated for historically
underrepresented students and has been integral in
establishing foundational resources such as food pantries,
housing support, basic needs and affinity spaces in support
of students. Additionally, he has championed student
engagement and success efforts and created wellness
initiatives . He has served as a Strategic Enrollment
Management (SEM) coach through the state Chancellor’s
Office Institutional Effectiveness Partnership Initiative
(IEPI) and as a member of the Partnership Resource Teams
that provide technical assistance in support of student
access, retention, K-20 partnerships and equity and success
initiatives. Dr. Thayer is a founding member of two
non-profit organizations: Have Faith, Be Strong (HFBS), a
non-profit organization for childhood cancer awareness, and
the African American Male Education Network and Development
(A²MEND), an organization established to foster
institutional change within the community college system to
increase the success of African American male students. Dr.
Thayer earned his doctoral degree from the University of
Southern California, his Master of Arts degree in
Counseling & Guidance from Point Loma Nazarene University,
his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Rollins
College, and his Associate of Arts degree from Normandale
Community College.
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