Southwestern College Superintendent/President Chopra Elected Vice President

CHULA VISTA, CA – The San Diego and Imperial County Community Colleges Association (SDICCCA), representing six community college districts and hundreds of thousands of students, has elected new leadership, including Southwestern College Superintendent/President Dr. Raj K. Chopra, who will serve as Vice President.

    “California’s community colleges educate nearly three million students a year. They come to schools like Southwestern College for high-quality, convenient, affordable education that gets them into the workforce. By collaborating as a region and advocating for their needs, we can more effectively help students realize those goals,” Chopra said.

    Close to 40 years ago, SDICCCA was created to strengthen collaboration between the six community college districts and their nine colleges – Southwestern, Cuyamaca, Grossmont, Imperial Valley, MiraCosta, Palomar, City, Mesa and Miramar Colleges – in the two-county area. Today, these colleges serve hundreds of thousands students annually. SDICCCA works closely with higher education institutions, businesses and community organizations across the region to provide a communal voice on higher education issues. SDICCCA leverages its collective voice on legislative matters to the colleges and stakeholders of the region. The leadership of SDICCCA and its Board Alliance rotates yearly among leaders of the organization.

    Chopra became Superintendent/President of Southwestern College in August 2007. Under his leadership, the college’s enrollment has grown, its budget is stable and its employees are receiving their annual salary increases. Chopra has supported funding for critical programs such as Disability Support Services and Extended Opportunity Programs and Services, areas where the state of California is making cuts. In April 2010, Chopra announced plans for the largest new development since the college’s original construction in 1961.

    SDICCCA’s new leadership also includes:

    • Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Chancellor Dr. Cindy Miles, President of SDICCCA;

    • Imperial Community College District Trustee Jerry Hart, President of the SDICCCA Board Alliance;

    • MiraCosta College Trustee Greg Post, Vice President of the SDICCCA Board Alliance.

    The SDICCCA Board Alliance is an affiliate of SDICCCA and represents the elected governing boards of San Diego and Imperial counties’ six community colleges.  It is an active and effective advocate for the region’s community college districts and the learning opportunities they provide for hundreds of students thousands every year.