2025 CEO Leadership Academy
We’re excited to welcome you to the 2025 Leadership Academy, where innovation meets collaboration! This year’s academy will focus on fostering a dynamic environment where community college CEOs can exchange ideas, tackle challenges, and build meaningful connections.
On this page you will find the venue map and information, daily schedules and recourse materials.
If you have any questions during the event, you can visit the registration desk, or email Jimmy Madrigal at jmadrigal@ccleague.org.
Venue Information
Registration Check-In
The registration desk will be open Thursday, July 24 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. in the Ho-O-Kan Room, located on the first floor. This will be your destination for picking up your name badge and conference materials, and where most sessions will take place unless otherwise noted. League staff will be available at the registration desk to answer any of your questions.
Hotel parking rate for registered guests is currently:
$17.00 for self-parking
$23.00 for valet parking
Daily Schedules
All sessions (excluding the reception and dinner) will take place in the Santa Barbara Room
10:00 a.m.
Registration Opens
Ho-O-Kan Room
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Lunch
Santa Barbara Room
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
What Keeps You Up at Night ?
Presenters: Marshall Fulbright, Monterey Peninsula College and James Preston, Lemoore College
You can’t make this stuff up, right? CEOs will bring a challenge/problem they are currently facing for small group discussions. Facilitated by fellow CEOs, the intent of this session is to foster a safe and collaborative environment for problem solving and idea exchange. Unfortunately, there’s no panacea to solving complex problems, but participants will work together developing innovative solutions, leveraging diverse perspectives and experiences.
1:15 – 2:45 p.m.
“Cakewalk” Issues
Presenter: Kevin Walthers, Allan Hancock College
You thought you were prepared for this job but nobody shared the secret sauce and it certainly didn’t come with an instruction manual. In this session, we’ll tackle topics that can create PR nightmares and make you wish you’d chosen a less stressful profession, like lion taming. Through facilitated discussions, we’ll dive into hot-button issues like athletics, foundations, Title IX, lawsuits, the elimination of community education programs, and negotiations. Buckle up–it’s going to be a wild ride!
2:45 – 3:00 p.m.
Break
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
CEO/Trustee & CEO Board Relationship, Chancellors/College Presidents Relationship
Presenters: Jill Stearns, Cuesta College; Julius Sokenu, Moorepark College; Diana Rodriguez, San Bernardino CCD
In this session we’ll dive into the intricate dynamics between community college CEOs and their trustees, both on an individual level and within the collective board. By exploring the nuances of these relationships, attendees will learn from each other and gain a deeper understanding of the interplay between leadership and governance. further, this session will address the connection between college presidents and chancellors, emphasizing effective strategies for sustaining productive relationships. Prepare to be entertained as we share tales from the trenches, exchange nuggets of wisdom, and concoct clever strategies for nurturing harmonious relationships. By the end, you’ll be armed with innovative approaches that might just save your sanity and boost your institution’s collaborative spirit.
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Networking Reception
Oriental Court
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Dinner
Ho -O-Kan
All sessions (excluding meals and receptions) will take place in the Santa Barbara Room.
7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast & Networking
Ho – O – Kan Room
9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Finance/Enrollment Management
Presenters: Omar Torres, DeAnza College, Greg Schulz, Citrus College, Marvin Martinez, Rancho Santiago CCD
A facilitated and interactive session dedicated to uncovering the intricacies of California community colleges’ unique and complex finances and how enrollment management plays into the long-term fiscal health of their district/college. This session promises to highlight the most important parts. We’ll tackle burning questions like, “Which elements of the budget are most essential and what questions should I be asking my chief business officer?” and “How do negotiations impact the long-term fiscal outlook?” Bring your questions and experiences about finance and enrollment management and get ready to laugh, learn, and maybe even come to love community college finance by the end of this session.
11:15 – 11:45 a.m.
Advocacy with the League
Presenter: Larry Galizio, President & CEO, Community College League of California
What questions and concerns do you have about your own district’s and college’s advocacy? How to perceive your role in advocacy/lobbying at your district/college? How does the League approach advocacy on behalf of all 73 districts? What materials and support for district and college advocacy does the League offer? What opportunities exist to become more involved in statewide advocacy and prioritization of issues? This brief session will provide both insight into the League’s prioritization of issues and opportunities for Q & A and discussion about the CEO role in advocacy.
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch with CEO Board President Willy Duncan
Ho – O – Kan Room
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Break
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Case Study Activity
Presenter: Virginia Guleff, Butte-Glenn Community College, Claudia Habib, Ventura College
This session is like a reality TV show, but without the cameras (or the drama). Participants will be sent-real-world case studies (yep, these actually happened, folks!) in advance so they can come prepared to discuss with colleagues. You’ll leave knowing how to think through sticky situations and how to navigate them like a pro, all while avoiding those pesky potholes that can land you in hot water.
3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Break
3:30 – 4:45 p.m.
Activity: Work-Life Balance. When can I say no?
Presenters: Carole Goldsmith, State Center CCD and Erika Endrijonas, Santa Barbara CCD
These jobs are tough. This discussion will focus on how to prioritize time and attention without pulling your hair out and will explore the magical best practices for relieving stress and avoiding burnout – no fairy godmother required. Participants will dive into strategies for achieving that elusive work-live balance, including when to say “no” (spoiler: it’s more often than you think) and how to manage personal and professional commitments while avoiding burnout. Leaders will swap tales of survival and wisdom, leaving armed with actionable plans to enhance their well-being and maybe even find a unicorn.
5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Reception
Oriental Court
6:00 p.m.
Dinner on your own
7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast & Networking
Ho – O – Kan Room
9:15 – 10:45 a.m.
What’s “on fire” today?
Santa Barbara Room
Presenter: Pilar Morin, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
This session is dedicated to addressing critical topics that are currently affecting California’s community colleges – think of it as a game of legislative Whack-a-Mole, but without the oversized mallet. We’ll dive into the latest sizzling issues like legislation, litigation, and other matters that are currently “on fire.”