Los Angeles Community College District Commends Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez After a Decade of Service to the Nation’s Largest Community College District and 38 Years to California Public Higher Education

Championing Equity and Expanded Access to Higher Education, Chancellor Rodriguez Increased Bachelor’s Degree Programs and Dual Enrollment Opportunities, Sponsored Landmark College Access Legislation and the Los Angeles College Promise Program, and Led Post-Pandemic Recovery

LOS ANGELES, CA – After a decade of leadership and close to four decades of service to California public higher education, the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) extends its deepest gratitude to Chancellor Francisco C. Rodriguez, Ph.D., who has announced his retirement, effective November 2, 2024. Chancellor Rodriguez is the second-longest serving Chancellor in the District’s 55-year history.

Chancellor Rodriguez is credited for raising the profile, stature, and effectiveness of the nation’s largest community college district through strategic and long-range academic planning, fiscal stewardship, facilities and capital outlay, and enrollment management. Prior to LACCD, Dr. Rodriguez served as superintendent/president at the MiraCosta Community College District in north San Diego County, president at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, and Executive Dean at Woodland Community College. He began his professional career in student affairs at the University of California, Davis.

Chancellor Rodriguez’s personal journey and lived experience as a first-generation college student from an immigrant family of factory workers have been a driving force behind his unwavering advocacy for educational opportunities for underserved populations. 

“Our nation’s strength, economic health and prosperity, and promise of democracy depend on the inclusion and success of all its participants. So, to serve in the most egalitarian system of higher education is a true privilege,” said LACCD Chancellor Francisco C. Rodriguez, Ph.D. 

“I am very proud of the work that we have accomplished together at LACCD to foster the success of very talented and inspiring students and to fulfill our community college mission of providing access, equity, and educational opportunity. I am confident in this District's promising future to continue fulfilling this noble and necessary purpose.”

“We appreciate Chancellor Francisco C. Rodriguez’s leadership and dedication,” said LACCD Board President Nichelle Henderson. “The Board looks forward to expanding on efforts to strengthen student outcomes, especially for historically marginalized communities, providing hope and opportunity through high-quality degree and certificate programs.”

"I would like to thank Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez for his decade of dedicated service to the LACCD community," said LACCD Board Vice President Dr. Kelsey Iino. "He has had a positive impact on the entire community college system and higher education, ensuring that community colleges, which he believes so fervently in, continue to be a great equalizer in society and an institution for opportunities. The Chancellor's retirement marks the conclusion of a significant chapter for LACCD, but thanks to his leadership, we are well-prepared to continue his mission of advocating for students and upholding the principles of equity and social justice. The future direction of the District is clear, and our commitment to serving our students and community remains unwavering. We support his decision to focus on his family and we wish him the very best as he embarks on the next chapter in his own life."

Here's what other leaders are saying about Chancellor Rodriguez:

“Chancellor Rodriguez has been at the forefront of efforts to increase college accessibility and affordability, working with me in the legislature to close the digital divide, broaden the number of bachelors programs at community colleges, and expand the incredibly successful LA College Promise Program to benefit students statewide, amongst other historic and precedent setting programs and policies” said Assemblymember Miguel Santiago, a former LACCD Trustee. “I commend Chancellor Rodriguez for his dedication to the Region, his unwavering commitment to empowering our next generation, and his pivotal role in advancing opportunities for all learners. His leadership has set the stage for the District’s future success, building on over a decade of impactful service. Through his vision and tireless efforts, he has fostered a culture of excellence and inclusivity that will benefit students and educators for years to come.”

"Chancellor Rodriguez has been a true champion of students in the Los Angeles Community College district and throughout his service in the California Community Colleges,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Dr. Sonya Christian. “His passion and commitment to extend hope and prosperity to underrepresented students have been ceaseless. He was one of the first leaders to enthusiastically support Vision 2030, working to advance the system’s strategic framework and its goals to better serve our 2 million community college students and drive our state’s economic prosperity. We have been fortunate to have him as part of our familia - as he is fond of calling the community colleges - and wish him well as he attends to his familia."

“On behalf of the AFT 1521 Faculty Guild, I want to thank the Chancellor for his decade-long leadership and in particular, his support of Adjunct Healthcare,” said Dr. A. James McKeever,

AFT 1521 Faculty Guild President. “With your enthusiastic support, the workgroup we created constructed the best adjunct healthcare agreement in the state, forever improving the lives of many of our faculty and their families.”

“I applaud Chancellor Rodriguez for his critical efforts to uplift students across both the city and county as a true partner, whose decades-long career centered around breaking down and removing barriers to college and career success,” said Abigail Marquez, Vice Chair of the Foundation for the Los Angeles Community Colleges and general manager of the city of L.A.'s Community Investment for Families Department. “His unwavering commitment and vision have significantly transformed educational opportunities, leaving an enduring impact on our community.”

Under his leadership, Dr. Rodriguez has achieved significant milestones, including increased federal and state revenues to the District’s nine colleges, sponsoring landmark legislation to facilitate college access and success, passing two local facilities bonds totaling $8.6 billion, hiring over 1,100 full-time, tenure-track faculty while increasing faculty and staff racial and gender diversity, and expanding community and business engagement and philanthropy to record levels. These achievements are a testament to his effective leadership and the progress made under his tenure.

Chancellor Rodriguez strengthened equity-minded, student-centered supports to measurably improve student retention, increase degree, certificate, and transfer completion rates, which more than doubled the number of degrees, credit, and noncredit certificates awarded over the last 10 years. His “people-first” philosophy engendered trust and confidence, which allowed the District to successfully navigate the impact of the pandemic and to creative problem-solving with disparate constituency and employee groups.