Manuel Baca, Trustee, Mt. San Antonio College

Dr. Baca was first elected to the Mt. SAC Board of Trustees in 1999 and has served multiple terms as its president. His professional experience spans the state university and community college systems. He teaches political science at Rio Hondo College in Whittier, where he has also served as dean and interim president. From 2012 to 2014, Dr. Baca served as president of the California Community Colleges Board of Governors. He holds a PhD in Education from the University of Southern California.

 

Thomas Bailey, President, Teachers College, Columbia University
Dr. Bailey is the president of Teachers College, Columbia University, and the George and Abby O’Neill Professor of Economics and Education at TC. He also serves as director of the Center for the Analysis of Postsecondary Readiness. By appointment of the U.S. Secretary of Education, he chairs the Committee on Measures of Student Success. Previously, he was the founding director of the Community College Research Center and is currently a senior fellow with the center. He holds a PhD in Economics from MIT.

 

 

Helen Benjamin, Chancellor (Ret.), Contra Costa Community College District
Dr. Benjamin served many years as chancellor of the Contra Costa District. Throughout her career she has held numerous community college CEO and senior leadership positions. She earned her master’s and doctoral degrees from Texas Woman’s University. She is former chair of the Community College League board of directors, a member of the President’s Round Table of the National Council on Black American Affairs, and served on President Obama’s Commission on the Future.

 

Thomas Brock, Director and Research Professor, Community College Research Center, Columbia University
Dr. Brock directs the Community College Research Center. He has more than 25 years of experience in education and social welfare research and is a research professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. He is the former commissioner of the National Center for Education Research (NCER) at the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). He holds a PhD in Social Welfare from UCLA.

 

Edward Bush, President, Cosumnes River College 
Dr. Bush is President of Cosumnes River College  and is known for his leadership and research on issues relating to student success, equity and diversity. Most of his 21-year career  has centered on the California Community Colleges. He is a published author and holds a Ph.D. in Urban Educational Leadership from the Claremont Graduate University. Dr. Bush is an alumni fellow of the Wheelhouse Institute on Leadership.

 

 

Frank Chong, President/Superintendent Emeritus, Santa Rosa Junior College
Dr. Frank Chong has served as the President/Superintendent at the Santa Rosa Junior College since 2012. Prior to joining the SRJC, Dr. Chong served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Colleges at the United States Department of Education in Washington, D.C. He holds a doctorate degree in educational administration leadership and technology from Dowling College. Dr. Chong brings a breadth of experience through his previous roles as president at multiple colleges, participant in higher education boards, and experienced administrator for non-profits.

 

Ding-Jo H. Currie, Distinguished Faculty in the Higher Educational Leadership Program,  California State University Fullerton, College of Education
Dr. Currie has more than 30 years of experience in the higher education under various roles. She had retired as Chancellor of Coast Colleges with oversight of three outstanding colleges in Orange County, California – Orange Coast College, Golden West College, and Coastline College.  Prior to becoming Chancellor, Dr. Currie served as President of Coastline Community College, a premiere leader in technology and distance learning. Dr. Currie is a part of many boards including Women on the Move Network. Dr. Currie obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Southern California in Intercultural/International Education. She also holds degrees in Mathematics, Psychology and Counseling.

 

Celia Esposito-Noy, Superintendent/President Emerita, Solano Community College District
Celia is the Superintendent/President of the Solano Community College District. Celia has served as president and past president for the CCCCSSAA (Chief Student Services Administrators) and as a member of the CCCAA Board (Athletic Association). Much of her professional work has focused on developing strategies and interventions for successfully serving students enrolled in basic skills classes, students suffering from trauma, and those with mental health challenges. Celia earned her BA degree from San Francisco State University, her MA degree from Stanford University, and her Ed.D. from Mills College.

 

Larry Galizio, President and CEO, Community College League of California
Before joining the League, Dr. Galizio served as president of Clatsop Community College (Oregon) and as director of strategic planning for the Chancellor’s Office of the Oregon University System. He served in the Oregon Legislature, where he chaired the Joint Ways and Means Education Subcommittee. From 1993 to 2009, he was a full-time faculty member of Portland Community College. He is co-author of Elements of Parliamentary Debate: A Guide to Public Argument, and holds a PhD from Portland State University’s School of Urban and Public Affairs.

 

Brice W. Harris, Chancellor Emeritus, California Community Colleges
Dr. Harris served as Chancellor of the California system from 2012 to 2016. Previously, he served 16 years as chancellor of the Los Rios Community College District, president of Fresno City College and as faculty  and vice chancellor in the Kansas City, Missouri community college system. He serves on the board of the American Council on Education (ACE) and is a former member of the Board of the American Association of Community Colleges and the Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges.

 

 

Douglas B. Houston, Retired Chancellor
Dr. Houston is retired Chancellor of the Yuba Community College District and the former Superintendent/President of Lassen College. He previously held administrative positions at Butte College and Barstow College. He also served as the commander of various military units and has taught at the community college and university levels, including as a Physics Professor at West Point. He serves on the Advisory Committees for the UC Davis CANDEL and CSU Sacramento doctoral programs.

 

 

Harold G. Levine, Dean (Ret.), UC Davis School of Education
Dr. Levine is a Professor Emeritus and Founding Dean of the School of Education at the University of California, Davis, and was instrumental in the founding of Wheelhouse at UC Davis in 2016. He holds a PhD in anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania, and began his career as a professor in the UCLA Department of Education, later becoming department chair and interim dean. As Dean of the School of Education from 2001 to 2016, he oversaw substantial growth in personnel and programs.

 

 

Lauren Lindstrom, Dean, UC Davis School of Education
Dean Lindstrom brings more than 25 years as an academic and administrator at the University of Oregon’s College of Education, most recently as Associate Dean. She is an active researcher whose areas of interest include autism, developmental disabilities, special education, career and college readiness for youth with disabilities, and access to quality education for families in poverty. She has been recognized internationally for her work promoting employment and access for individuals with disabilities.