PCC Rock Creek Taps LA Mission College VP As New Campus President

From Portland Community College: This summer, Portland Community College will have a new president leading its Rock Creek Campus (17705 S.W. Springville Road). Christopher Villa, who currently serves as the vice president of Student Services at Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC), has been picked to lead the college’s comprehensive campus in Washington County. Villa will start in his new role on Aug. 1, succeeding the retiring Sandra Fowler-Hill. “I am absolutely thrilled to be the next campus president at PCC’s Rock Creek Campus,” Villa said.

“It is evident that the faculty, staff, students, and members of the community have a deep connection to the college that is infectious. I am looking forward to being a part of the PCC Rock Creek community and to continue our efforts to improve access and success for students.” Villa has a long and dedicated career in the community colleges, with focal areas in student success and equity. Prior to joining LAMC, Villa served as vice president of Student Services at Fresno City College from 2009 to 2015. Beginning in 2006, he worked as vice president of Student Support Services at Long Beach City College, where he played a key role initiating the Long Beach College Promise, a commitment of three local public education institutions to improve college preparation, access and completion for their students.

While at LAMC, he has led the equitable student success campus agenda to develop and implement its Guided Pathways Program and revitalize its Student Success Center. He is also an esteemed community leader and teacher. Villa has served as a Board Member for the California Community College Chief Student Services Administration Association and was a member of the California Chancellor’s Office Advisory Group on Student Mental Health. In addition, Villa is a mentor for the National Community College Hispanic Council, an affiliate of the American Association of Community Colleges. He was a participant in the Executive Leadership Institute sponsored by the League for Innovation in the Community College.

Villa earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Utah and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Social Ecology from the University of California, Irvine. In addition to administrative roles, he has taught part-time within the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Department at California State University, Northridge, teaching doctoral and masters level courses to practicing community college administrators, faculty, and staff. “Dr. Villa has many skills and assets to offer PCC, and I am delighted he will be joining our team,” said PCC President Mark Mitsui. The 260-acre Rock Creek Campus, founded in 1976, is a critical resource for Washington County.

Among the woodlands, wetlands and functioning farm, there are 14 career tech programs and a 3.6-acre Learning Garden. Approximately 66 percent of Rock Creek students enroll in the college transfer program and approximately 18 percent of students enroll in career/technical programs. The campus serves approximately 21,000 students a year.

About Portland Community College:

Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and provides training, degree and certificate completion, and lifelong learning to more than 73,000 full- and part-time students in Multnomah, Washington, Yamhill, Clackamas, and Columbia counties. PCC has four comprehensive campuses, eight education centers or areas served, and approximately 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area. The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning. Visit PCC news on the web at http://news.pcc.edu/

Image via Portland Community College