PVC Superintendent President Search

The President has strategic and daily operational responsibility for the District. As the face and voice of the College, the President is an inspirational, transparent, and visionary leader, committed to building trust and addressing the following opportunities and challenges:

• Enrollment Strategy, Student Success, and Institutional Sustainability
• Expand Academic, Workforce, and Career Education Opportunities
• Community Integration, Trust, and Outreach
• Economic Development and Workforce Alignment
• Community Support and Rural Responsiveness
• Government and Strategic Partnerships
• Fiscal Stewardship and Resource Development
• Shared Governance, Collaboration, and Institutional Climate
• Marketing and Visibility

Minimum Qualifications

• All candidates must have evidence of responsiveness to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students as these factors relate to the need for equity-minded practices;  AND
• Earned master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent; AND
• Five (5) years of senior-level administrative experience in education, defined as an executive position reporting directly to a governing body or chief executive officer and being responsible for a broad operational segment of the organization with significant fiscal and programmatic oversight (e.g., academic affairs, student services, administrative services, college campus)

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant senior level administrative experience in higher education at a community college.
• Higher education teaching experience at a community college.
• Experience working with multiple collective bargaining units. Clear understanding of the importance of Participatory Governance, and demonstrates ability to effectively cultivate it.
• Experience in a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).
• Demonstrated experience to effectively navigate the complex policy and regulations of the California community college environment or a comparable system.
• An earned doctorate from a regionally accredited institution

Presidential Search Timeline*

• Early June 2026 — Search Announcement + Survey
• Mid-June 2026 — Committee Training + Profile Finalization
• Mid–Late June 2026 — Position Posted + Recruitment
• July 22, 2026 — Application Deadline
• July 2026 — Semifinalist Selection
• August 6–7, 2026 — Semifinalist Interviews
• August 18–20, 2026 — Finalist Forums + Board Interviews
• September 2026 — Board Announces Selection
• Late September 2026 — Start Date

*Timeline is subject to change

The Search Committee will review confidential applications, interview semifinalists, and recommend finalists to the Board of Trustees.

Committee Representation:

Gloria Copple — Governing Board
Jon McNeil — Governing Board
Peter Martinez — Academic Senate
Tom Jones — Academic Senate
Richard Castillo — CTA
Vanja Velickovska — CTA
Talana Wade — CSEA
Alice Dean — CSEA
Ger Xiong — Administration
Jaclyn Randall — Administration
Crystal Tautala — Management/Confidential
Naomi Alaniz — Management/Confidential
Grace Wehrli — ASG
Elizabeth Berry — ASG
Leslie Watkins — Foundation
Marcella Thomas — Foundation
Elena Rodriguez — EEO

Progress Report 1 June 03, 2026

District Resources

• Accreditation
• EEO Plan
• Climate Survey
• CEP
• Board Minutes
• Data Dashboards

Community Resources

• PVUSD
• Needles USD
• Needles Chamber
• Blythe Chamber
• Blythe Realty
• Black Bird Realtor

The Palo Verde Community College District is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants for employment, as well as District employees, shall have full and equal access to employment opportunities. No person shall be subjected to unlawful discrimination in any program or activity of the District. 

For additional information, nominations, or confidential inquiries please contact:
Debbie DiThomas, Ed.D..,
ACCT Search Consultant, at
ddithomas5@gmail.com or (951) 961-6533

An ACCT Search

This is a confidential search process. To ensure full consideration, application materials should be received no later than July 22, 2026. The position will remain open until filled.

To apply go to www.acctsearches.org and upload your documents.

Candidates will need to have the following information or materials available to complete the application:

1. A letter of application (not to exceed 5 pages) that succinctly addresses the opportunities and challenges identified in the Position Profile and demonstrates how the candidate’s experience and professional qualifications prepare them to serve as the President of Palo Verde College.
2. A current resume including an email address and cellular telephone number.
3. A list of eight references: example, two to three supervisors, two to three direct reports, and two to three faculty and/or staff members from current and former institutions.

For additional information, nominations, or confidential inquiries please contact: Debbie DiThomas, Ed.D., ACCT Search Consultant, at ddithomas5@gmail.com or (951) 961-6533.