Dr. Monte E. Perez Named Interim East Los Angeles College President
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — During the LACCD Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, Dr. Monte E. Perez was named Interim President of East Los Angeles College (ELAC). Dr. Perez brings a wealth of leadership experience, having previously served as President of Los Angeles Mission College for a decade and, more recently, as a leader in the Fullerton College community.
“I am honored to once again serve the LACCD community, following a decade at LA Mission College, as ELAC’s Interim President,” said Incoming President Dr. Monte E. Perez. “ELAC’s dedication to expanding students' potential and inspiring generations to pursue their aspirations through higher education resonates deeply with me. Dr. Román strengthened the foundation of our campus, and I look forward to continuing efforts to advance the ELAC community.”
“I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Monte E. Perez as ELAC’s next President,” said Interim Chancellor Dr. Alberto J. Román. “Dr. Perez, an accomplished LACCD leadership alum, shares my commitment to advancing equity and ensuring every student has the support to thrive. His dedication to inclusive excellence makes him the ideal choice to guide ELAC forward and I look forward to partnering with him on initiatives to strengthen our community, empowering each of our students to achieve success in college and their careers.”
"On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we welcome Dr. Monte E. Perez back to LACCD as ELAC’s Interim President," said LACCD Board President Nichelle Henderson. “Dr. Perez is a strong leader, and the Board is confident he will lead ELAC with a vision that aligns with our commitment to student success and equity. His leadership will drive positive change and inspire student-centered growth and community engagement.”
Dr. Monte E. Perez is an accomplished higher education leader with extensive experience in strategic planning, accreditation, and community engagement. Previously, Dr. Perez served as the President of Mission College, where he successfully coordinated the reaffirmation of accreditation in 2014, resolving key recommendations from a previous evaluation. Dr. Perez also established a President’s Community Advisory Committee, developed partnerships with the LA County Office of Education, and secured over $20 million in grants to support various programs.
Previously, Dr. Perez also served as the President of Moreno Valley College within the Riverside Community College District, overseeing a college that supported 10,000 students and managed a budget of $28 million. In this role, he secured $10 million in funding for allied health programs and established partnerships with the University of California, Riverside Medical School, and Riverside Regional Medical Center. Dr. Perez also held significant leadership positions at Golden West College, where he coordinated the accreditation process and developed initiatives to support underprepared students.
With a proven record of managing large-scale construction programs and promoting educational equity, Dr. Perez is committed to empowering diverse communities and enhancing workforce readiness, further demonstrated through his Board of Governor role with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).
