Press Release November 11, 2009

Media Advisory
Contact: Monica Gomez
Public Information Officer
San José/Evergreen Community College
(408) 759-0626
monica.gomez@sjeccd.edu

(SAN JOSÉ, CA—November 11, 2009)  After nearly five years as Chancellor of the San José/Evergreen Community College District (SJECCD), Chancellor Rosa G. Pérez has announced her retirement, effective June 30, 2010.   In a letter read by Board President Randy Okamura at the November 10, 2009, Board Meeting, Chancellor Pérez cited her health issues she’s struggled with for over a year as the reason for her retirement. 

In her letter Chancellor Pérez also expressed her sentiments about the district:  “You know how much I cherish the work we are doing in this district to serve our students.  We have been bold in expressing strong values and have mended many of the difficulties that were plaguing the district when I first became chancellor.  The credit, however, is truly due to the leadership at all levels of the organization and to the spirit that exists in this district.  It cannot be attributed to any one person.”

Chancellor Pérez has been with SJECCD since August 2005.  Since that time, she has led the District, comprised of two colleges with enrollment of more than 30,000 students, and has been responsible for more than 1,200 faculty, administrators and staff.  Chancellor Pérez champions opportunity, equity and social justice in higher education. 

Jeanine Hawk, Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services, has been appointed Acting Chancellor while Chancellor Pérez is currently on medical leave.  Chancellor Pérez says it is her full intention to resume her leadership duties through the end of the fiscal year.  The Board of Trustees is considering the process of Chancellor Pérez’s permanent replacement.