Press Release December 6, 2005

The Santa Monica College Board of Trustees today (Dec. 5) named Dr. Chui L. Tsang, President of San José City College, to the Superintendent/President post of Santa Monica College, effective Feb. 27, 2006. Tsang has been president at San José City College for nine years in February, 2006.

“When I got here, San José City College was an old and tired campus, I am proud to say as I leave, the college is full of vitality with the faculty and staff collaborating in many different projects throughout the campus,” says Dr. Tsang.

Tsang, a first-generation Californian who started his higher education at a community college and went on to earn a doctorate in linguistics from Stanford University, has had a long and distinguished career in education, workforce training, economic development and nonprofits.

“Dr. Tsang has led San José City College through a very important facilities rebuilding process,” says Rosa G. Pérez, Chancellor, San José/Evergreen Community College District. “From a facilities perspective, San José City College was an unappealing campus. Today, thanks to Dr. Tsang, it is a beautiful, striking institution that now draws students from all over Santa Clara County.”

Tsang, a 54-year-old Cupertino resident whose parents immigrated to the U.S. from Hong Kong, was selected from three finalists for the $175,000-a-year post. He succeeds Dr. Piedad F. Robertson, who left the college in January to take the presidency of Denver-based Education Commission of the States.

"We believe that Dr. Tsang will be an outstanding president and will help us move ahead in exciting and challenging times for Santa Monica College," said SMC Board of Trustees Chair Carole Currey. “We were particularly impressed with Dr. Tsang’s perspicacity and sense of humor.”

Tsang says that Santa Monica College has a great reputation and academic tradition. “Santa Monica College has the highest transfer rates to the UC campuses in all of the California Community Colleges,” says Tsang. “Santa Monica College is a very prestigious transfer institution with a strong international education focus.”

The San José/Evergreen Community College District will miss Tsang’s leadership. “Dr. Tsang has energized the college with his good planning skills and his optimistic attitude,” says Chancellor Pérez. “He is a very solid leader that will be remembered in our institution for many years to come.”

San José City College is a metropolitan campus located minutes from downtown San José. Along with Evergreen Valley College, San José City College serves residents of the 303 square mile San José/Evergreen Community College District. The District includes the areas served by Milpitas and San José Unified School Districts, together with the Eastside Union High School District. Residents who are high school graduates, or at least 18 years of age, may attend either college, as there are no attendance boundaries within the District.