Long Beach Community College District (LBCCD) Superintendent-President Eloy Ortiz Oakley was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to the University of California (UC) Board of Regents Monday, becoming the first community college executive to gain entry to the board.
The UC Board of Regents, which consists of 26 members, exercises approval over university policies, financial affairs, tuition and fees and is also in charge of appointing university presidents and principal officers. The eighteen regents appointed by the governor serve 12-year-terms and meet six times a year and receive no compensation for their service. Oakley’s appointment takes effect immediately but will require confirmation from the state Senate within his first year of service.
Oakley said he hopes that he can bring the success of the Long Beach education map, namely the Long Beach College Promise, to the table and impress the importance of similar strategies to help improve educational opportunities for students statewide.
“I am grateful to the governor for the opportunity to serve as a UC Regent,” Oakley said in a statement. “Through the Long Beach College Promise, I’ve seen the success of an educational system that focuses on students, not separate institutions. I hope to give the UC Regents a new perspective of California’s public education systems and how we created a seamless pathway here in Long Beach. I would like to see the University of California engage with its sister public education systems in examining ways to reduce institutional barriers that confront California students from obtaining a quality college credential.”
In addition to his role at LBCC, where he was appointed to his position as Superintendent and President in 2007, Oakley also serves as a board member for the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, Greater Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, St. Mary’s Medical Center as well as the American Association of Community Colleges. LBCCD Board of Trustees President Jeffrey A. Kellog said Oakley’s appointment was necessary and a step in the right direction.
“On behalf of the LBCC Board of Trustees, I would like to thank the governor for filling a long overdue void by adding a critical voice representing the community college system and perspective to the UC Regents with the appointment of Eloy Oakley,” Kellogg said. “His selection is in recognition of all the outstanding and innovative ideas that have been championed here at LBCC during his tenure as the Superintendent-President and I am certain he will continue to bring that same progressive approach to the UC Regents.”