Long Beach City College (LBCC) Dean of Career Technical Education (CTE) Mollie Smith received the Leadership Advocate Award from the California Community College Association of Occupational Education (CCCAOE) in honor of her legislative advocacy efforts, the school announced today.
“This prestigious award reflects Mollie’s passion for CTE and her history of advocacy for support and expansion of these programs throughout California,” said LBCC Vice President of Academic Affairs Terri Long in a statement. “It’s a huge honor for her and the college.”
Smith joined LBCC earlier and is responsible for overseeing CTE programs that help prepare students for a wide array of vocational careers, according to LBCC officials. Her instructional areas include child development, computer and office studies, culinary arts, family and consumer sciences, public services, and trades and industrial technologies. Smith also supervises LBCC’s technical training programs that provide hands-on quality training for trade jobs.
Smith’s recognition comes as the university spearheads its search for the next LBCC President. The individual selected will succeed current President Eloy Ortiz Oakley, who was named the first Latino American chancellor of the California Community Colleges System last summer.
Photo of Dean Mollie Smith, courtesy of Long Beach City College.