Finalists named for next Woodland Community College president

Nov. 2—Dr. Shouan Pan, chancellor of the Yuba Community College District (YCCD), announced the four finalists for the next president of Woodland Community College, which serves Yolo, Lake, Colusa, and Glenn counties.

Recognized as a Hispanic Serving Institution, Woodland Community College has campuses in Woodland, Clearlake, and Williams. It serves over 3,000 students annually in multiple associate and certificate programs, officials said.

After a nationwide search for a new president, four ?nalists were recommended to Pan by a "diverse interview committee" consisting of faculty, staff, and community members, officials said. Those four finalists are Dr. Monica Chahal, Dr. Lizette Navarette, Dr. Brian Sanders, and Dr. James Todd.

As part of the hiring process, in-person candidate forums will be held at 9 a.m. on Nov. 14 at Building 800 at Woodland Community College, located at 2300 E Gibson Rd. in Woodland.

"Faculty, staff, students, and community members are invited to attend these forums to hear directly from each candidate," officials said.

Interviews of the candidates also will be held on Nov. 14 with a final decision expected soon after.

"The approval of an employment agreement by the Board of Trustees will follow. The anticipated start date for the president is January 2024," officials said.

The candidates

According to YCCD officials, Chahal is an "experienced leader" who has worked for more than three decades in educational institutions, including the California Community College system. "Her work has been defined by her focus on equity, social justice, and student success," officials said. "Her lifelong commitment to students has led to a rewarding career as a classified professional, adjunct and full-time faculty, and administrator at Yuba College, Woodland Community College, and Clovis Community College. In all these roles, she is most proud to have served alongside and worked collaboratively with others committed to excellence and innovation."

YCCD officials said Navarette is a "passionate student-centered leader" who has almost two decades of experience in higher education and local government. Currently the executive vice chancellor at the California Community College Chancellor's Office, she leads the Office of Institutional Supports and Success which includes college finance, facilities planning, institutional effectiveness, and government relations.

"She is responsible for formulating policies that determine the distribution of over $13 billion in local assistance and capital outlay funds to the state's 73 community college districts, professional development which advances student success, and coordinating state and federal matters for the system," officials said. "... Dr. Navarette has an extensive history championing student success, affordability, and equitable educational opportunities for all students. ... In 2021, Dr. Navarette earned the United Nations Global Education for All award for her research on working adult learners."

Officials said Sanders is recognized across California's community colleges for his leadership, innovation, and extensive knowledge of the community college system.

"He has served as a tenured mathematics faculty member, dean of a large division, interim chief business officer, and chief instructional officer for both Columbia College and Modesto Junior College," officials said. "His service on the executive board for the California Community Colleges Chief Instructional Officers and on statewide Chancellor's Office committees has resulted in significant improvements for the community colleges. On campus, he is known as a kind, creative problem-solver, collaborating with all constituent groups to develop and implement effective solutions to difficult challenges."

YCCD officials said Todd has more than 17 years of experience working at California community colleges as a faculty member and as an executive administrator in academic and student affairs.

"As a faculty member, he taught anthropology, while also serving as Academic Senate President and as an elected faculty representative on the statewide Executive Committee for the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges," officials said. "His faculty experience fostered a deep commitment to participatory governance, an inclusive style of educational leadership, and student equity and social justice efforts in education. He is passionate about fostering access and meeting the needs of local communities, facilitating student success and completion, building public and private partnerships, and ensuring equitable post-graduation outcomes for students."