Los Medanos College President Search

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The President is Chief Executive Officer of the college and has a direct reporting relationship to the District Chancellor. The President is responsible for the delivery of educational and other services provided by the college, the supervision of the administrative staff and all educational programs and services of the college. The President provides high level direction regarding the overall operation of the college, its outreach locations, and centers. The President delegates to the Vice President, Deans, and Directors, the supervision of other administrative, teaching, and classified professionals.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Qualified candidates must submit a complete online application, resume, unofficial transcript, and a cover letter, not to exceed five (5) pages. Candidates should cite specific examples from background and experience to demonstrate knowledge and expertise necessary for this position. The letter of application should indicate to what extent personal qualities, professional characteristics and skills match the desirable qualifications sought for this position.

(Note: The first interviews will be held 4/24/23 from4/25/23 and the final interviews and public forums will be held during the week of 5/11/23 to5/12/23.)

Our Vision for Social Justice

We are seeking people who recognize the critical role community colleges play in social justice, who have ability in this space, enthusiasm for this work, ideas, and vision to improve our approaches, and a commitment to achieving equitable academic success for the 50,000+ students attending our five beautiful colleges and centers. Our social justice work calls for employees who have a sense of social responsibility, interest in our community and world in which we live.

The intention of social justice work is to strengthen humanity by understanding that every person deserves the opportunity to benefit by fully participating in our society and institutions.

Academic researchers have illustrated that crucial social justice principles are a compilation of equality, equity, diversity, inclusion, engagement, environmental sustainability, and human rights. These complex principles are challenging to operationalize in higher education; yet we are steadfast in our diligence to forge ahead to advance this vital mission.

Community colleges are uniquely positioned to lead higher education in the work of social justice. Many of our students come from historically underserved and underrepresented backgrounds, including students of color, students with recent immigrant histories, students from cycles of low income if not poverty, students from indigenous communities, and students from first- generation families.

The idea of promoting social mobility through education is unconditionally and uncompromisingly embraced by community colleges. This is an exciting leadership role, and it comes with a heavy responsibility. Simply put, we need to create environments where our students achieve greater academic success, while closing our persistent equity/opportunity gaps.

If you are committed to social and racial justice and if you are interested in joining a community dedicated to solving these inequities through education, please apply.

Desirable Qualifications

  • Embraces the Mission of the Community College in California: Exhibits awareness of the California community college and has management experience in navigating relevant issues. Implements policies and practices guided by the diverse needs of students/community; and promotes rigor that results in high student achievement to advance the community college mission.

  • Collaborative Leadership: Has a clear commitment to a collegial environment and inclusion in important participatory governance decision-making processes. Exhibits a collaborative leadership style with all constituent groups to accomplish critical institutional objectives.

  • Values Diversity: Embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms as a Districtwide value; experienced at advocating for the educational success and support of Black/African Americans, Latinx, Indigenous/Native Americans, Asian/Pacific Islanders, LGBTQIA+ community, persons with disabilities, and other minoritized groups of disproportionately impacted students; focuses on meeting needs of underserved student and community populations; seeks diversity in employee positions.

  • Effective Organizational Leadership: Understands how instruction, student services, academic support services, business and administrative services, and technology interface to effectively support student learning and other institutional processes at a community college or institution of higher education.

  • Embraces Innovation: Creates a culture that encourages exploring new possibilities and innovative approaches that have significant potential to advance the college mission and vision.

  • Effective Fiscal and Resource Management: Understands the role of finances in planning, budgeting, assessing, and leading continuous improvement in a higher learning environment. Effectively manages resources to advance the college purpose.

  • Courage to Lead in Difficult Times: Within the context of a higher learning environment, has courage and perseverance to address challenges and confrontations. Deliberate in assessing diverse and conflicting perspectives; brings those perspectives to consensus and successful outcomes. Effective, data-informed decision maker and manager of change. Action- and results- oriented, innovative, and creative, and responds to situations timely, particularly in periods of uncertain funding or disruption.

  • Effectively Motivates Others: Inspires trust and confidence through strong motivational skills. Exhibits outstanding communication skills, strong work ethic, positive attitude, and enthusiasm for the organization. Successful team builder with proven ability to motivate all constituent group members.

  • Highest Ethics and Integrity: Exhibits personal/professional ethics and integrity in all behavior and relationships with a strong sense of transparency, fairness, and equity in all decision making.

  • Advancing External Relationships: Maintains high visibility and has successful experience in cultivating and maintaining external relationships at the local, regional, state, and national levels as it pertains to community colleges or higher learning institutions. Commits personally and supports others in seeking external forms of resources through formal organizations.

  • Positive Labor Group Relations: Understands the California collective bargaining environment and the need to work effectively with all formal employee groups. Relevant experience addressing the successful negotiations outcomes.

  • Effective Leadership in a Multi-College District Environment: Understands President’s role within the structure of a multi-college district. Engages with leadership in a creative, innovative, and respectful manner. Engages with the Chancellor and Board of Trustees and other college leadership.

About Los Medanos College

Los Medanos College offers award-winning transfer and career-technical programs, stellar support services, and diverse learning opportunities in East Contra Costa County. Our exceptional educators, innovative curriculum, growing degree and certificate offerings, and strong regional partnerships focus squarely on student success. Of the 1,600 two-year institutions across the nation, LMC has received four consecutive recognitions as a “Top 150 U.S. Community College” by the Aspen Institute (2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023) and was named one of the “50 Best Community Colleges for 2017” by College Choice.

For more information about the college, visit: www.losmedanos.edu

About the District

The mission of the Contra Costa Community College District is to transform lives by providing outstanding learning opportunities that nurture and empower all students to achieve their educational goals. The dedicated faculty, classified professionals, and administrators in the District are committed to core values and action that promote excellence in learning and equitable student success. The District is committed to hiring and developing a diverse staff that understands that cultural diversity in the academic environment promotes academic excellence; fosters cultural, racial and human understanding; provides positive role models for all students; and creates an inclusive and supportive educational work environment for its students, employees, and the community it serves.

Located in Contra Costa County, in the beautiful and diverse San Francisco East Bay area, the District serves one million residents within the County through education, business partnerships and service in the community. The District first opened its doors in 1949 and is the second oldest and eighth largest multi-college community college district in California. The District consists of three colleges and two centers; Contra Costa College is located in San Pablo; Diablo Valley College is located in Pleasant Hill and has a campus in San Ramon; Los Medanos College is located in Pittsburg has a center in Brentwood. The District Office, located in downtown Martinez, supports the mission and functions of the colleges.

As evidenced by the rich diversity in Contra Costa County, the District enrolls a highly diverse student population. Serving over 45,581 students in the 2021-22 academic year, the demographic make-up of students was 9% Black/African American, 15% Asian/Pacific Islander, 34% Hispanic/Latinx, 25% White/Non-Hispanic, and 17% Other.

The District actively encourages a diverse pool of applicants to serve the dynamic student population and work collaboratively with existing colleagues that are equally dynamic and diverse.

Questions

Contact: Sophia Lever slever@4cd.edu