Dr. Jowel C. Laguerre, Superintendent-President of Solano Community College, has been appointed Chancellor of the Peralta Community College District. The Peralta Board of Trustees approved his appointment and employment agreement at their meeting held on June 23rd. As Chancellor, Dr. Laguerre will oversee Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney College and Merritt College.

Dr. Laguerre began his term as Superintendent-President of Solano in 2009. During his tenure, he was responsible for ushering the College to full accreditation, and worked to reestablish it as a leader in providing educational opportunities for students. He led the College in a bond campaign to raise $348M for new construction, facilities renovation, technology upgrades and a new Veterans Center. Dr. Laguerre is one of the founders of the Solano County Education Initiative (SCEI) which helps to coordinate activities among different organizations serving the young people of Solano County as well as the Vallejo Education and Business Alliance (VEBA). He partnered with Sonoma State University to offer bachelor’s degrees at SCC. This year, he led SCCs efforts in being awarded an opportunity to offer a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomanufacturing, which will be offered at the forthcoming biotechnology and science building at the Vacaville Center location. He also led the efforts to bring the Andrew Young Global Institute to the Vallejo Center.

The Solano Community College Board of Trustees appointed Mr. Stan Arterberry, Chancellor Emeritus of West-Valley Mission Community College District, as the Interim Superintendent-President at a special meeting held on June 24th. Prior to his tenure at West-Valley Mission, Mr. Arterberry served as Superintendent-President of Solano Community College (1994-2002) and President of Merritt College (1993-1994). He brings a wealth of knowledge and experiences, previously serving as a professor of sociology and dean. He is currently a Senior Consultant with Ralph Anderson & Associates. Mr. Arterberry has a Masters of Arts in Sociology from Atlanta University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Whittier College. He also holds a certificate in Management from the Harvard University Institute for Educational Management.

Board of Trustees President A. Marie Young stated, “Dr. Jowel Laguerre has been a visionary and an advocate for Solano Community College District on local, state, regional, national, and international levels. On behalf of the Governing Board, we accept his resignation and respect his decision to move to a higher position in community college administration by accepting the position as Chancellor of Peralta Community College District. We will be losing his visionary and transformational leadership. Solano Community College District has grown in many ways since the arrival of Dr. Laguerre in 2009. We are going to miss his forward thinking which has led to transforming students’ lives. The trustees welcome Mr. Stan Arterberry as our interim Superintendent-President, and our search for hiring a new Superintendent-President for Solano College will start soon.”