NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — In a unanimous and enthusiastic vote, the Yuba Community College District Board last week approved the contract with the new president of Woodland Community College.
The board took about 10 minutes to finalize the contract with Dr. Lizette Navarette at its Dec. 14 meeting.
Navarette was named the new Woodland Community College president last month following a nationwide search that Chancellor Dr. Shouan Pan said involved several months of work.
The Yuba Community College Board oversees both Yuba Community College and Woodland Community College, the latter responsible for managing the Lake County Campus in Clearlake.
“I’m so very pleased today to recommend a fabulous leader” who has given her expertise and time to serve community colleges in California for many years, Pan said of Navarette, whose most recent position was as executive vice chancellor at the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, leading the Office of Institutional Supports and Success.
Pan recommended the board approve the contract, which is for an initial term of two and a half years, from Jan. 8, 2024, to June 30, 2026.
Navarette’s annual salary will be $208,869, plus benefits, including a $500 monthly auto allowance and a phone allowance, Pan said.
“It’s my honor and pleasure to recommend her to you for approval to be our next president for Woodland Community College,” Pan said.
Trustee Jesse Ortiz said Navarette brings experience that will benefit the district. “I’m really excited to start a new chapter at Woodland Community College under Dr. Navarette’s leadership.”
Trustee Doug Harris, whose district includes Lake County — he’s also a former instructor at the Lake County Campus — said he wanted to second Ortiz’s comment.
“I think we are exceedingly fortunate to have someone with this breadth of experience and knowledge of systemwide issues and processes,” Harris said of Navarette.
Board President Susan Alves said she hopes Navarette has her running shoes on and that they’re laced up tightly.
Community members are ready to meet Navarette and it’s an exciting time for Woodland Community College, Alves said.
The board then unanimously approved Navarette’s contract.
Navarette, who was on hand for the meeting, said she was honored to be selected.
“It is a surreal moment that someone like me could become a president of a college that helps families like mine really advance,” said Navarette, a first-generation college graduate.
She said she’s excited to work with the board, Dr. Pan, colleagues, faculty, students, staff and the community to share the vision.
“With the power of partnerships I know that we will take Woodland Community College to the next level of success. More importantly, I’m just very excited to transform lives. That’s what I know this district does,” she said.
Navarette thanked the board members for their trust and confidence.
Ahead of Navarette’s contract approval, the board had its annual organizational meeting.
Guided by Dr. Pan, board members went through the process of choosing their leadership for 2024.
The board elected Trustee Susan Alves as president for the coming year, with Trustee Richard Teagarden elected vice president and Trustee Rita Andrews selected as the board clerk.
They also approved the 2024 calendar of board meetings, with Harris advocating for holding two meetings — not just one — at the Lake County Campus during the coming year.
The Lake County meetings are generally among the best attended of the year, which board members acknowledged.
That was the case in November when community members packed the meeting room at the Lake County Campus to share their concerns with the board about the campus and the lack of resources it has received from the Woodland administration.
At the Dec. 14 meeting, the board agreed that, in addition to the Nov. 14, 2024, meeting planned to take place at the campus in Clearlake, the board also will meet at the Lake County Campus on March 14, 2024.
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Yuba Community College Board approves contract with new Woodland Community College president
- Elizabeth Larson
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