San Jose community college district selects new interim chancellor

The San Jose-Evergreen Community College District has selected a new interim chancellor with decades of experience in the education field who starts this month.

The board of trustees unanimously appointed Beatriz Chaidez to the position, where she will succeed former interim chancellor and San José Spotlight columnist, Raúl Rodríguez.

Chaidez has nearly 25 years of experience in the education sector, from working as assistant superintendent of human resources at Salinas City Elementary School District to adjunct faculty member at San Jose State University, where she taught a seminar on education administration.

Chaidez has worked with the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District previously as its vice chancellor of human resources, as well as associate vice chancellor of human resources.

“I am thankful to the board of trustees for placing their confidence and trust in me,” she said in a news release. “The district’s values of opportunity, equity, and social justice align with my personal values as an educator.”

Chaidez declined an interview with San José Spotlight until the board discusses what her priorities should be for the district.

Chaidez has a doctorate in educational leadership from University of California, Davis and a masters in educational administration from Fresno Pacific University. She earned her undergraduate bachelor’s degree at California State University, Fresno.

SJECCD Board President Bob Livengood said the district is lucky to have such an experienced person in a leadership role.

“During her tenure as SJECCD vice chancellor of human resources, Dr. Chaidez has proven herself to be a steady leader, a creative problem solver, and a passionate advocate for students,” Livengood said in a district news release.

Chaidez also has experience with labor relations and served as an executive board member for both the Association of California School Administrators and the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators.

The district will begin a nationwide search for its next permanent chancellor in the fall.

Contact Annalise Freimarck at [email protected] or follow @annalise_ellen on Twitter.