Chancellor Placement

College of San Mateo names Dr. Manuel Alejandro Pérez as President

Dr. Manuel Alejandro Pérez Named President of College of San Mateo

College’s first queer-identified and Latino president brings passion for equity and student success.

Following a national search, San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) Chancellor Melissa Moreno has announced that she will recommend Dr. Manuel Alejandro Pérez to the Board of Trustees as the next president of College of San Mateo (CSM). The Board of Trustees will take formal action on Dr. Pérez’s appointment at their meeting on May 22, 2024.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Pérez to College of San Mateo,” said Chancellor Moreno. “He is a passionate leader who has demonstrated a deep commitment to underserved student communities with innovative programs to provide equitable and inclusive student experiences that engender their success. We are confident he will lead CSM to new heights of excellence and innovation using an uncompromised collaborative and collegial approach.”

Dr. Pérez brings 20 years of professional experience in higher education, from his doctoral work in education to his teaching work in social justice, international and multicultural studies, and the performing arts, to developing a career in the community college system, and now currently serving as the Vice President of Student Services at Cañada College.

“I am honored and humbled to serve as the next president of College of San Mateo,” said Dr. Pérez. “I look forward to working collaboratively with the faculty, staff, students, and community partners to advance the mission and vision of this transformative institution. I am committed to fostering a culture of care, belonging, and excellence that supports the success and well-being of all our students, especially our historically marginalized and underserved communities.”

Before joining SMCCCD, Dr. Pérez served as Interim Assistant Vice President for Equity & Community Inclusion at San Francisco State University. Before that, he served as the Dean of Student Development and Dean of Equity Programs & Pathways for American River College (ARC).

Dr. Pérez holds a bachelor’s degree in communication studies with a minor in ethnic studies from Santa Clara University, a master’s degree in communication studies from San Diego State University, and a doctorate in education from the University of San Francisco, where he also teaches courses as part-time faculty.

Dr. Pérez will start his new position on July 1, 2024. His selection is subject to the approval of a written contract, whose terms will be available for public review before the May 22 board meeting.

SMCCCD names Dr. Melissa Moreno its next Chancellor

Second woman to serve as permanent chancellor in the District’s century-plus history after Dr. Lois Callahan, who retired in 1997.

Following a national search, the San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) Board of Trustees announced their unanimous decision to select Melissa Moreno, J.D., as the next permanent Chancellor of SMCCCD, with an anticipated start date of April 25, 2024.

“Chancellor Moreno is an innovative, dynamic, and collaborative leader who brings a strong vision for the future grounded by a demonstrated record of achievements,” said Board President John Pimentel. “Chancellor Moreno is an effective advocate for free community college for all San Mateo County residents. She’ll work closely with the board to prioritize improving student access, extend recent enrollment gains, and engage proactively with existing community organizations to reach communities who can improve their economic and career prospects through SMCCCD.”

Moreno has served as the District’s Interim Chancellor since April 2023. She has extensive executive-level experience with more than 18 years of progressive leadership roles in the community college system, beginning with the Santa Barbara Community College District. While there, she was the founding director of the national award-winning Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Dean of the Business Division, and Vice President of the School of Extended Learning.

She joined San Mateo County Community College District in 2020 as President of Skyline College and provided steady leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am honored to have been selected to lead the San Mateo County Community College District and am grateful to the Board of Trustees for their trust and confidence,” said Moreno. “As a former California community college student, I deeply respect the transformational power that community colleges hold to change lives. I am committed to a vision that centers the needs of our students and ensures educational opportunities for families and their children in our communities that are historically marginalized and least likely to go to college.”

Moreno’s visionary track record will ensure the District continues to grow student enrollment, maintain fiscal health, build student housing, and meet local workforce needs with a focus on closing equity gaps within the region.

Moreno holds a bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology from UC Santa Barbara and a Juris Doctorate from Santa Barbara College of Law.

Chancellor Moreno’s appointment is pending the final ratification of her employment contract, which will be considered at the Board of Trustees meeting on April 24, 2024.