Dr. Rueben Smith has informed me that he has officially accepted a new position as Vice Chancellor and Chief Facilities Officer at the Los Angeles Community College District, where he will begin his duties on Monday, November 18, 2019. This is a wonderful opportunity for Dr. Smith to assume leadership for the college bond program in the United States.
For the past two years, Dr. Smith has gifted ÃÈ·µ¼º½ with leadership that has transformed our facilities program and set up our own facilities bond. We will always be deeply grateful to him, and we will have a formal opportunity to express our gratitude to Rueben before the next meeting of the Board of Trustees on Thursday, November 14th.
As to next steps:
Dr. James Sohn will step in as acting Senior Vice Chancellor for Facilities and Capital planning. He has successfully completed more higher education and school construction projects than any other executive in the country, including the extraordinary Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools at the former site of the Ambassador Hotel for the Los Angeles Unified School District.
We will immediately commence the search for a permanent SVC/F&CP following regular procedures. The Project Management Team has performed well as our Program Manager, led by Arturo Taboada and John Watkins. Dr. Sohn and the Project Management Team will continue to manage the planning, design, and construction for all facilities and bond projects. It is because of Dr. Smith's efforts to build an effective and lasting team that we will proceed as scheduled with all facilities and bond projects.
Nonetheless, Dr. Smith's departure is the definition of 'parting is such sweet sorrow.' On both a personal and professional level, we will all miss him. And at the same time, I know you will join with me in expressing to Rueben our sincerest congratulations on his new position.
Thank you, Dr. Smith!
Dr. Mark Rocha, Chancellor
City College of San Francisco