The Contra Costa Community College District has officially selected current Interim Chancellor Mojdeh Mehdizadeh as the 10th permanent chancellor.
“I feel honored and privileged to have the opportunity to continue to serve the District in the role of Chancellor,” Mehdizadeh said. “As a DVC student 36 years ago, I could not have imagined this in my career trajectory, and I hope I can serve as a positive role model for our students by encouraging them to follow their educational dreams and career aspirations.”
She has served the 4CD since 1994, in multiple positions including assessment center technician and adjunct faculty of speech communication. It’s a deserving position for someone who spent her entire career being supportive and loyal to this district.
Her vision aligns with the current district-wide vision, which states, “to provide educational excellence, support social justice, and contribute to the economic vitality for all our students and the surrounding community.”
She spearheaded the development of the current district-wide strategic plan in place. The purpose was “to welcome all students, nurture their passion for learning, self-recognize their potential and help them to achieve their academic and career goals.”
She believes that success should be measured by accomplishments and outcomes. As LMC is identified as a top 150 community college in the nation by Aspen for the fifth time is a prime example.
Also, she believes in the importance of student voices being heard on campus.
“It is vital to hear directly from students,” Mehdizadeh said. “I meet with student leaders across our district monthly through the Student Trustee Advisory Council. Your student leaders, like Jacob Boyle, share feedback on the student experience. I am also not shy to just talk to students as I walk through the campus. It is my favorite thing to do.”
The chancellors’ forum took place on Monday, Nov. 6, and included three candidates vying for the position. The Governing Board then met in a closed meeting two days later to select the permanent chancellor. They released their decision Nov. 13, stating that the board will vote to approve her contract at the Dec. 13 meeting.
“On behalf of the Governing Board, we are delighted that Ms. Mehdizadeh will continue leading 4CD as permanent Chancellor,” Governing Board President Fernando Sandoval said. “Her commitment to our mission of transforming the lives of all our students is unwavering, and she ensures that students are at the forefront of every discussion and decision. Her 36 years of leadership at 4CD has helped us maintain our legacy of higher education excellence.”
The district has appointed three important roles within the 4CD this year. Dr. Pamela Ralston as the permanent president of Los Medanos College and Dr. Kimberly Rogers as the president of Contra Costa College, both at their June 14th meeting. Now, they plan on appointing Mehdizadeh as the permanent chancellor.
“I am excited that the 4CD Governing Board has appointed Mojdeh Mehdizadeh as the Chancellor for our district,” Ralston said. “Mehdizadeh has been instrumental in helping LMC through our leadership transition as I stepped into the Interim and then permanent position as president. She is exceptionally centered on students and their success and engagement, and she is well respected by our classified professionals, faculty, and management at Los Medanos College. We celebrate her in this new role.”
