LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Dr. James Houpis, Ph.D., interim chancellor of the Yuba Community College District, will retire on May 31, following a 40-plus year career in higher education.

Dr. Houpis was appointed as interim chancellor in 2021.

The district’s new chancellor, Shouan Pan, Ph.D., will take the helm on June 15.

“We have been fortunate to have a seasoned leader like Dr. Houpis leading us over the past two years as our interim chancellor. His academic and leadership experience, focus on students, and new strategic initiatives have left an indelible mark on the District,” said YCCD Board of Trustees President Juan Delgado. “Our students, faculty, administrators and staff are forever grateful for his efforts which have positioned both the District and our new chancellor for future success.”

Topping the list of Dr. Houpis’ contributions during his tenure at YCCD was the launch of a fully online campus, which will expand access to courses that not only support career advancement for working adults but also degree and educational certificate completion.

At a time when most YCCD students work at least part time, the online campus will provide much-needed flexibility, putting a community college education within reach for those who might otherwise be unable to attend college.

Beyond expanding access to coursework through the online campus, he also led strategies to increase high school student participation in the dual credit programs offered at both Yuba and Woodland Community Colleges and supported expanded enrollments in apprentice programs to support local workforce needs.

As an environmental scientist, it is no surprise that Dr. Houpis championed and led the district in developing a Climate Change Resolution.

Since the passage of Measure J in 2006, the district has made a concerted effort to ensure that all new buildings and renovations support the goal of developing environmentally sustainable campuses.

Through Dr. Houpis’ leadership, the district has doubled down on its commitment to reduce its carbon footprint and to model responsible, sustainable business practices across all district operations.

Dr. Houpis also stabilized the district’s finances, advanced the development of a resource allocation model to promote cost management, advanced salary equity for administrators and classified employees by initiating the district’s first compensation study, improved employee morale by actively working to build a more constructive internal culture, and updated campus websites to make them more functional for students.

“I accepted the interim chancellor role with the goal of making YCCD my last career move before retirement,” Dr. Houpis said. “As I reflect on my career, I’ve enjoyed every step of my journey — from being a research scientist studying the effects of air pollution and climate change, to serving as a faculty member and advising students, to shaping curriculum and developing student success initiatives as a provost, to hiring and mentoring administrators, faculty and staff as a program director and department chair, to leading campuses and overseeing district operations as a university provost, college president and interim chancellor.”

He added, “I’ve enjoyed my time at YCCD, and I’m proud of the work that we have achieved together. It has been my honor to work on behalf of our students, to support our outstanding leadership team, faculty, and staff, and to work in concert with the Board of Trustees to build upon YCCD’s many successes.”

Before joining YCCD, Dr. Houpis held leadership roles at other community colleges, including serving as president of Modesto Junior College and dean of academic support and learning technologies at Skyline College.

He also had a long and distinguished career in the California State University, or CSU, system, holding leadership and faculty positions at both CSU East Bay and CSU Chico.

Across the past four decades, Dr. Houpis has earned many grants and awards for innovation and excellence including the Paul Simon Teaching and Research Award, Accessibility Services Award of Appreciation and the Associated Students Award: Model of Shared Governance for Exemplary Service to Students.

He also has been selected for a fellowship with the Wheelhouse Center for Community College Leadership and Research.

Because of his reputation in higher education and expertise in environmental and biological sciences, Dr. Houpis has been chosen to serve as a reviewer for prestigious initiatives such as the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences and the U.S. Global Change Research Program.

He also received special recognition from the California Senate recognizing his continued efforts on behalf of Latino students and his strong support of programs helping students complete their studies on their way to lifelong success.

He co-authored three book chapters and has co-authored more than 50 professional journal articles, proceedings, and scholarly reports based on his research in environmental and biological science.

Dr. Houpis holds a Ph.D. in forest science from the University of California at Berkeley, a master’s degree in biology from San Diego State University, and a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences from UC Berkeley.