SAN MARCOS, CA (July 7, 2021) — During its regular board meeting on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, the Palomar Community College District (PCCD) Governing Board approved the appointment and employment contract of incoming Superintendent/President Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey. Dr. Rivera-Lacey will begin her tenure as Superintendent/President on Monday, July 26.
During the meeting, the board also approved a new contract with Dr. Jack Kahn, who has been serving as Interim Superintendent/President and will return to his former position as Assistant Superintendent/Vice President for Instruction.
“The Palomar College community is looking forward to begin working with Dr. Rivera-Lacey as we return to more on-campus classes and activities,” said Governing Board Vice President Mark Evilsizer. “This is a time of rejuvenation after a long and difficult pandemic. We look forward to working together to engage and support students to complete their educational goals.”
Dr. Rivera-Lacey previously served as Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Services at Palomar and is currently serving as the Vice President of Student Services at the San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE), the noncredit division of the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD).
“I am looking forward to starting as the new Superintendent/President of the Palomar Community College District on July 26,” said Dr. Rivera-Lacey. “I can’t wait to re-engage with former colleagues and to build new relationships with those I have yet to have the privilege of working with.”
She added: “I am also looking forward to fostering, and strengthening, collaborations with local business and industry, school districts, and the broader community. I see tremendous potential in what we can accomplish together to serve the greater good of the region by providing quality educational opportunities and exceptional career training services.”
The Governing Board announced Dr. Rivera-Lacey’s appointment during a special meeting on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, following a lengthy national search and recruitment process.
“We are grateful to have Dr. Kahn continue with the District as our Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Instruction,” said Evilsizer. “Dr. Kahn has done a tremendous job of leading our faculty and staff through an extremely challenging time for our District, and we know he’ll continue to do great work here.”
“I am so appreciative of the opportunity to lead the District for the last 18 months, and I am looking forward to partnering with Dr. Rivera-Lacey to serve the students of Palomar College,” said Dr. Kahn.
During her 23-plus years of administrative and leadership experience in Student Services and Instruction at community colleges in San Diego and the broader region, Dr. Rivera-Lacey was named as an Aspen Institute Rising Presidents Fellow (2020-2021) and a National Community College Hispanic Council Fellow (2018).
“As the new Superintendent/President, my priority will be to work closely with the Governing Board and the campus community to prepare for the upcoming academic year,” said Dr. Rivera-Lacey. “The summer semester is the perfect time to rethink, reset, and recharge in preparation for the start of the fall semester.
“And the fall semester is always my favorite time of the year because it is filled with endless possibilities for students beginning their academic careers, and for those who have reached academic milestones and continue to move forward.”
