This content was published: May 10, 2018. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
PCC selects Chris Villa to be next Rock Creek Campus president
Photos and story by James Hill
This summer, Portland Community College will have a new president leading its Rock Creek Campus.
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.”
Chris Villa.
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 James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »