RCC President Profile
The Community
The city of Riverside is the 12th most populous city in California with nearly 330,000 people. It is the county seat of Riverside County. Riverside is part of the Inland Empire, the metropolitan area and region in southern California spanning from the Greater Los Angeles area to the Arizona border. As one of the fasting growing regions in California, Riverside County covers 7,208 square miles and Riverside County had a population of approximately 2.53 million people as of 2024.
Geographically, the county is mostly desert in the central and eastern portions, and has a Mediterranean climate, characterized by rainy winters and dry, warm to hot summers, in the western portion. There are 19 official wilderness areas in Riverside County that are part of the National Wilderness Preservation System including most of Joshua Tree National Park and Coachella Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
In addition to RCC and the District, the City is home to many institutions of higher
education including: Cal Baptist University (CBU), the University of California, Riverside
(UCR), and La Sierra University (LSU).
The District
RCCD is the fifth largest multi-college District in California. RCCD colleges are located in the cities of Riverside, Moreno Valley, and Norco, representing key geographical and commerce points within the 450 sq. mile service area.
The Riverside Community College District through its three colleges—Moreno Valley College (includes the Ben Clark Training Center), Norco College, and Riverside City College supported by the District Office—serves and enriches its diverse communities by offering certificates, degrees, and transfer programs that help students achieve their educational and career goals. The district strives to impact the social and economic mobility of its students by ensuring access, success, and equity for everyone who wishes to take advantage of the educational opportunities offered by the colleges.
Riverside Community College District is connected to the community resulting in a high percentage of students coming from the local area. This connection has also created a strong sense of unity and partnerships with community organizations and K-12 school districts.
Each of the three institutions that comprise the RCCD hold Regional Accreditation and are designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). The District has more than 3,600 faculty, staff and administrators.
Chancellor Wolde-Ab Isaac, Ph.D. was unanimously appointed to his position in 2018
after having served as President of RCC.
RCC Today
Riverside City College is the largest community college in the Riverside Community College District and in the Inland Southern California region. RCC provides services to a diverse community of students offering a wide range of dynamic and high-quality academic programs and comprehensive student services. Students are offered a wide range of choices including associate degree programs, transfer programs, and career and technical education certificates for preparation to enter the workforce.
Boasting a richly diverse campus, RCC is honored to be federally designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution, and state designated Black Serving Institution. The RCC campus is a vibrant college environment that reflects the surrounding communities with a student population that is 65% Hispanic, 15% Caucasian, 8% African American, 5% Asian/Pacific Islander, 2% Filipino, and the remaining 5% represent other, mixed ethnicities, or are unreported.
RCC influences both the lives of its students and the regional economy. The College
stimulates the development and growth of the region through its educational, economic
and workforce opportunities, community partnerships and services. RCC’s payroll and
operations budget exceeds $283 million—employing more than 1,600 full- and part-time
faculty, classified professionals, and administrators. RCC enjoys strong support from
the community evidenced by a variety of measures.
Institutional Strengths and Challenges
Riverside City College
Riverside City College (RCC) is a 100+ year institution with a strong regional identity,
recognized academic programs, and a student-centered culture. The College’s strengths
are rooted in its people, mission, and community impact. At the same time, stakeholders
have identified leadership, cultural, and operational challenges that require stability,
accountability, and alignment to fully realize RCC’s potential.
Institutional Strengths
Deep Commitment to Students
RCC is widely described as a college that prioritizes student well-being. Comprehensive
engagement centers, resource hubs, clubs, and student organizations foster belonging
and persistence. The College has built structured systems to support at-risk and economically
vulnerable students, reflecting a strong culture of care embedded in daily practice.
Equity-Centered Mission
As a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Black-Serving Institution
(BSI), RCC places equity at the center of its identity. Guided pathways, data-informed
decision-making, and strategic planning efforts align with advancing equitable student
outcomes and affordable access to high-quality education.
Exceptional Faculty and Staff
Faculty are consistently cited as one of RCC’s greatest assets—dedicated, knowledgeable,
and committed to teaching and learning. Classified professionals and managers are
similarly valued for their longevity, professionalism, and student focus. Shared governance
is an established and respected practice.
Academic and Programmatic Distinction
RCC offers diverse academic and CTE programs aligned with workforce and transfer pathways.
The College is recognized statewide and nationally for strong academic, fine and performing
arts, and athletic programs, and has historically contributed to higher education
innovation and best practices.
Regional Leadership and Identity
Centrally located in the Inland Empire, RCC holds strong name recognition and civic
standing. Deep partnerships with K–12 districts, workforce agencies, and community
organizations reinforce its role as a regional leader in education.
Strategic Investment and Infrastructure
Bond-funded projects, including projected investments in the Inland Empire Technical
Trade Center (IETTC), are creating opportunities for expanded workforce alignment
and modernized facilities. The College has strong planning frameworks in place to
guide its next phase of development.
Institutional Challenges
Leadership Stability and Accountability
Frequent presidential turnover and interim leadership structures have affected continuity and follow-through. Stakeholders seek stable leadership that establishes consistent expectations, strengthens accountability across all groups, and aligns priorities with action.
Concerns also include uneven accountability practices, elements of a dominant faculty culture that may impede collaboration, and the need for clearer standards of collegial professionalism.
Culture, Representation, and Inclusion
While student equity efforts are strong, stakeholders note gaps in student representation
in shared governance committees. There are calls to strengthen upward mobility for
classified professionals and student services staff, address hierarchical dynamics,
and ensure inclusive leadership practices are fully embedded across the institution.
From Planning to Execution
RCC is viewed as strong in planning but less consistent in implementation. Strategic
initiatives and signature programs are not always resourced at levels that match institutional
messaging. Greater alignment between planning, budgeting, and operational follow-through
is needed.
Fiscal and Facilities Constraints
Enrollment-based funding, rising personnel costs, aging facilities, deferred maintenance,
and limited campus space present ongoing challenges. Sustained investment in technology
and preventative maintenance is necessary to maintain competitiveness.
Growth, Modality, and Workload
Balancing program growth with staffing capacity remains a concern. Stakeholders emphasize
the importance of preserving a vibrant in-person academic environment while offering
appropriate online access. Workload equity and adequate support for faculty and staff
are critical considerations.
College–District Alignment and External Pressures
Perceptions of top-down mandates and shifting legislative requirements have contributed
to mistrust and fatigue. Strengthening the relationship between the College and District,
and advocating effectively within state systems, will be essential.
Student Safety and Climate
Students have expressed concern about campus safety, including incidents involving
external groups and immigration enforcement activity in the region. There is a clear
expectation that leadership will prioritize student safety, communicate promptly during
crises, and visibly support student rights and dignity.
The Leadership Imperative
Riverside City College’s legacy, faculty excellence, equity-centered mission, and
deep community ties provide a strong foundation. The next President will have the
opportunity to stabilize leadership, strengthen accountability, align planning with
execution, reinforce inclusive practices, and ensure RCC remains a vibrant, student-centered
institution serving the diverse communities of the Inland Empire.
The Position
RCC is searching for a President dedicated to ensuring student success and access,
promoting academic excellence, achieving institutional effectiveness, developing and
allocating resources, and fostering community engagement. Additionally, the ideal
candidate should genuinely appreciate the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Expected Qualities and Characteristics
The next President of RCC will be a strategic, student-centered leader who advances the College’s mission of transforming lives and strengthening the Riverside community. The following qualities reflect the leadership priorities of the College and its commitment to equity, excellence, and community impact.
- Visible, Accessible, and Relationship-Centered Leadership
Maintains a strong, consistent presence across campus and in the community; is approachable and engaged with students, faculty, classified professionals, and administrators; builds trust through authentic interaction, active listening, and day-to-day engagement. - Visionary, Strategic, and Action-Oriented Leadership
Articulates a clear, shared vision for RCC and aligns institutional planning (Strategic Plan, Equity and BSI Plans, enrollment, accreditation, and resource strategies); translates plans into measurable results, strengthens systems and processes, and ensures effective implementation and long-term institutional stability. - Collaborative Leadership and Shared Governance
Fosters unity across classifications and reduces silos; values faculty expertise, classified professional knowledge, and student voice; understands California Community College governance, including the Academic Senate’s role under Title 5 and the 10+1; leads through partnership while providing clear direction. - Transparent, Accountable, and Courageous Management
Communicates openly, consistently, and responsively regarding decisions, resources, and priorities; establishes clear expectations and boundaries; makes timely and sometimes difficult decisions; holds individuals and teams accountable while modeling integrity and personal responsibility. - Student-Centered Advocate and Campus Climate Leader
Prioritizes student success, safety, belonging, and well-being; engages directly with students and student government; communicates promptly during issues affecting student rights or safety; advocates for RCC students at the District, regional, and system levels. - Equity-Minded and Culturally Proficient Leadership
Demonstrates a sustained commitment to equity, anti-racism, accessibility, and inclusion; advances RCC’s mission as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Black-Serving Institution (BSI) through evidence-based servingness; understands and reflects the diverse communities the college serves. - Academic Credibility and Integrated Student Success Orientation
Understands the classroom experience and the centrality of instruction; champions academic excellence while ensuring strong alignment among instruction, student services, and co-curricular learning; supports the resources and conditions necessary for teaching and learning. - Institutional, District, and Community Advocacy with Long-Term Commitment
Effectively navigates the District and California Community College system; advocates for RCC’s resources and priorities; builds strong community and regional partnerships, including workforce and transfer pathways; demonstrates a clear commitment to continuity, stability, and long-term service to the college, with a strong commitment to inclusive community engagement and language access.
Qualifications
Required
- An earned doctorate from an accredited institution.
- Teaching experience in higher education.
- Record of progressively responsible senior administrative positions in higher education.
- Experience in managing the financial needs of a large multi-layered organization.
- Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college faculty, classified professionals, administrators, and students.
Preferred
- Knowledge of the California Community Colleges system.
For additional information, nominations, or confidential inquiries, please contact: Bradley Ebersole, Ph.D., ACCT Search Consultant, bradleyebersole@gmail.com, (740) 538-7989 (mobile)