The Ventura County Community College District board of trustees approved the new chancellor contract for Dr. Rick MacLennan during its regular meeting on June 14. The board also honored Chancellor Greg Gillespie, who is retiring at the end of the month, with a resolution and short reception. In addition, the board swore in and seated Azure Heirshberg as VCCCD Student Trustee, and Gillespie presented the annual State of the District report to the board.
“When Chancellor Gillespie started in this position in 2017, no one knew the challenges that would come before him. He navigated them with steady leadership and focus. The equity and parity initiatives he implemented have been integrated into our colleges’ practices and procedures,” said Board Chair Dianne McKay.
“We are confident that Dr. MacLennan’s experience will bring a fresh perspective to the District while continuing to strengthen our proven pathways to success for our students, classified staff and faculty,” added Vice Chair Stan Mantooth.
MacLennan will assume the position of chancellor on July 1. He has more than 30 years of experience in educational leadership and is a veteran. Prior to joining VCCCD, he was president of North Idaho College in Coeur D’Alene for five years.
Heirshberg was elected by the student bodies of Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges to serve a one-year term, from June 1, 2022, through May 31, 2023. A chemistry major at Moorpark College, he will represent and advocate for his fellow students at monthly board of trustees’ meetings and other constituent meetings across the District.
Highlights of the State of the District report included progress of the VCCCD Strategic Plan’s goals and statistics of the District’s impact on students’ lives and the community. Each year, $1,360,683,184 is added as the total present value of additional lifetime earnings of VCCCD graduates who enter the labor market or continue their work with increased skills for greater earning ability, noted the report. In fiscal year 2021-22, VCCCD impacted the county by creating 3,837 jobs and provided $720,760,562 output through regular budgets, capital expenditures and student spending.
The next regular meeting of the board of trustees is July 12. Open session begins at 6:30 p.m., and the community is invited to attend in person or view a live stream of the meeting on the VCCCD Board of Trustees YouTube Channel.