Dr. Mark Sanchez was selected on Dec. 16 as the next Superintendent/President of Southwestern College by a 28-member search advisory committee.
Sanchez currently serves as Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Success and Support Programs and the college centers at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo.
He brings more than 20 years of experience in community college leadership, teaching and instruction and workforce development with him to Southwestern College.
The college serves a diverse community of more than 20,000 students in Southern San Diego county, an area that has been particularly hard hit by the pandemic.
“Southwestern College has been working tirelessly and intentionally to strengthen the climate of our campuses so that everyone feels they belong. To continue this important work, this board is committed to hiring a new Superintendent-President who embodies these values and will ensure Southwestern College continues to be an inclusive, equitable college for all,” Governing Board President Nora Vargas said during the search process.
In a Dec. 16 statement, Sanchez said he will “continue to build on the excellent work done at Southwestern” and will continue to build a culture based on equity, diversity and inclusion for all of our community.
The position presents a return home for Sanchez, who grew up in San Diego and earned his Associate of Arts degree in general studies from Southwestern College. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Point Loma Nazarene University as well as having earned both his Master of Arts with Distinction in education administration and his Doctorate in educational leadership from California State University, Fresno.
The Governing Board is currently negotiating a final contract with Sanchez and expect to vote on it at their Jan. 12 meeting.
Current Superintendent-President Kindred Murillowill retire in March.
