UKIAH, Calif. – The superintendent/president of the Mendocino-Lake Community College District, Arturo Reyes, has recently been named a finalist in the search for Chancellor at the Ventura County Community College District.

Reyes credits the incredible staff and faculty at Mendocino College for his recruitment. “I know that I was recruited as a candidate for this position in great part due to the tremendous work of the MLCCD board, faculty, staff and managers here at Mendocino College. Our work together is something I am incredibly proud of and have shared with my colleagues around the state since I came to Ukiah over four years ago.”

Living closer to his father, now age 90 and residing primarily in Rosarito, Mexico most of the year, is a huge factor behind Reyes’ consideration of this position.

After being contacted by the search firm representing Ventura County Community College District Reyes said, “I have carefully considered my father’s situation and the chance to be closer to him while contemplating the prospect of serving students in another region of the State in considering this opportunity.”

President Reyes has led a multitude of initiatives in his time at Mendocino College, including the college’s designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution; the acquisition of the coastal territory and center from College of the Redwoods; significant growth in state and federal grant funding; a comprehensive effort to create a more equity-minded, inclusive culture at the college; strong enrollments, and strengthened relationships and partnerships with all K-12 districts in the region.

In speaking with Reyes, he looks forward to continued success in the California Community College system.

“I have been blessed with tremendous opportunities to serve different communities and honored to serve Mendocino and Lake counties,” he said. “My current role as superintendent/president continues to be very rewarding, inspiring and professionally gratifying. Our trustees, managers, staff, faculty and students are second to none.”

Reyes and his family are saddened about the possibility of leaving this area, yet this is a new opportunity and a professional challenge worth considering.

“If offered the position it will be my father’s situation, the strength and values of their district, and the best interest of my loved ones that will help inform my final decision,” he said.

The Ventura County Community College District serves more than 35,000 students and employs more than 900 staff and faculty members at Moorpark, Ventura and Oxnard College.