Beatriz Chaidez
EdD ’16
SJECCD Board Names New Chancellor
On April 10, 2024, The San José – Evergreen Community College District (SJECCD) board of trustees named the next permanent SJECCD chancellor, unanimously selecting Dr. Beatriz Chaidez to lead the District. Chaidez, who has been serving as chancellor in an interim capacity since July 2023, was approved during the Board’s regular meeting on April 9.
“We are very fortunate to have a highly skilled and experienced leader such as Dr. Chaidez to lead the District as our next permanent chancellor,” said SJECCD Board President Tony Alexander. “Following a rigorous, nationwide search, the board is confident that Dr. Chaidez is the best choice to lead the District.”
Prior to her appointment as chancellor, Chaidez held multiple roles with SJECCD, including interim chancellor, vice chancellor of human resources, and associate vice chancellor of human resources.
“During her tenure as interim chancellor and her years serving our District as vice chancellor and associate vice chancellor of human resources, Dr. Chaidez has proven herself to be a steady leader, a creative problem solver, and a passionate advocate for students,” added SJECCD Board Vice President Wendy Ho.
Before joining SJECCD in early 2019, Chaidez held various roles in K-12 administration, including serving as assistant superintendent for human resources with Salinas City Elementary School District (SCESD). She has also been director of pupil personnel services and special education—also with SCESD—assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction with Sacramento City Unified School District, and superintendent/principal with Raisin City School District.
“I’m very pleased to be stepping into this new role with SJECCD and want to thank the board of trustees for placing their confidence in me,” Dr. Chaidez said. “The District’s core values of Opportunity, Equity, and Social Justice align closely with my personal values as an educator. I look forward to continuing to work alongside my colleagues among our dedicated faculty, classified professionals, and administrators to advance our mission and serve our community.”
Chaidez has extensive experience with labor relations and negotiations, employment law, worker’s compensation, California Education Code, and building dual and concurrent enrollment partnerships between colleges and K-12 school districts. She has also served as an executive board member for both the Association of California School Administrators and the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators.
In addition to her administrative experience, Chaidez has also served as an adjunct faculty member at San Jose State University, where she taught a seminar course on administration in educational settings.
“I understand and appreciate the vital role that community colleges play in our educational system, particularly for many individuals from traditionally underrepresented groups, and will work to ensure that all residents of our District have access to higher education,” Dr. Chaidez said.
Chaidez holds a doctorate in educational leadership from University of California, Davis; a Master of Arts in educational administration from Fresno Pacific University; and a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies from California State University, Fresno.
See original San José Evergreen Community College District media release.
