Sacramento, CA (MPG) - The Los Rios Board of Trustees has unanimously approved the appointment of three key leadership positions for the Los Rios Community College District. Whitney Yamamura, 53, was appointed President of Folsom Lake College. Michael Gutierrez, 48, has been named President of Sacramento City College. Dr. Jamey Nye, 43, will serve as the District’s Vice Chancellor of Education and Technology.

“It’s not often that a Board gets to bring three leaders as talented and dynamic as Whitney, Michael and Jamey into our organization at the same time,” said Ruth Scribner, President of the Los Rios Board of Trustees. “While each brings a unique background and diverse set of skills, they all share a passion for higher education and a commitment to doing the hard work necessary to improve the lives of the students we serve.”

Whitney Yamamura has served in the Los Rios District for almost 30 years and, with his appointment, becomes the second Asian American College President in the history of the Los Rios District. Having most recently served as Interim President of Sacramento City College, Whitney has also worked as Vice President of Instruction at Cosumnes River College, the founding Dean of American River College’s Natomas Center as well as American River College’s Dean of Behavioral and Social Sciences. Whitney began his tenure as a member of the American River College faculty, as an adjunct and full-time Professor of Economics.

“It is an honor to have been selected to serve as the President of Folsom Lake College,” said Yamamura. “I am excited to join the talented and hard-working team of faculty and staff as we continue to grow our college and look for new and creative ways to serve students.”

Michael Gutierrez will be the first Latino president in the 100-year history of Sacramento City College. He comes to Sacramento City College from Texas, where he has most recently served as Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success at Eastfield College in the Dallas Community College District. In his 21 years in higher education, the Princeton University graduate has served in a wide array of different areas, including faculty, college administration, research, workforce/economic competitiveness and resource development. 

“It is humbling to have the opportunity to serve an academic institution with the storied history and reputation of Sacramento City College,” said Gutierrez. “For a hundred years, Sacramento City College has been a cornerstone of the Sacramento community. As we look ahead, we’ll continue to celebrate the rich fabric of our college and work tirelessly to help our students reach their goals.”

Dr. Jamey Nye will take over as the Vice Chancellor of Education and Technology having spent the past 17 years in Los Rios, most recently serving as Associate Vice Chancellor of Instruction. In this role, Jamey has led Los Rios’ Workforce and Economic Development Center and has helped Los Rios build and support a variety of robust and comprehensive academic programs. Jamey began his career as a faculty member at Cosumnes River College, where he later served as Academic Senate President, Chair of the English Department, Dean of Business and Family Science, and Associate Vice President of Instruction and Student Learning.

“Los Rios is poised to continue to do great things in the coming years, and I’m thrilled to be part of that work,” said Nye. “Our four colleges are among the most forward-thinking institutions of higher education in the State of California, and my goal is to help take our successful innovations to scale to serve even more students.”

The appointment of Yamamura, Gutierrez and Nye provides an incredible opportunity to build on the great things happening at Folsom Lake College, Sacramento City College and throughout the Los Rios District according to Los Rios Community College District Chancellor Brian King.

“Together, these three leaders will have the ability to positively impact the lives of thousands of students in our colleges,” said King. “At a time of unprecedented focus on student success, I look forward to working with Whitney, Michael and Jamey to build on the momentum in our district and look for new ways to innovate and excel. They bring an exciting mixture of experience in our organization as well as fresh ideas for how to improve student outcomes.”

Nye will begin in his role on July 5. Yamamura and Gutierrez are both scheduled to begin on July 24.

Since 2004, Folsom Lake College has provided educational opportunities to the communities of eastern Sacramento and western El Dorado counties. The college serves approximately 8,750 students at the main Folsom campus, El Dorado Center, and Rancho Cordova Center.

Sacramento City College is the oldest community college in the Los Rios District and about 22,500 students are enrolled.

 

Source: LRCCD