President's Contract Extended

November 21, 2025 - 02:03 PM

The Mt. San Antonio College Board of Trustees voted Nov. 19 to extend the contract of President and CEO Dr. Martha Garcia through 2029, reaffirming the Board’s confidence in her leadership and long-term vision for California’s largest community college.

Since joining Mt. SAC in July 2023, Dr. Garcia has guided the institution through transformational achievements that strengthened academic excellence, expanded student opportunity, and elevated Mt. SAC’s statewide and national prominence.

Key milestones under her leadership include:

• Record Enrollment Recovery and Growth: Mt. SAC became one of the first California community colleges to fully recover pandemic-related enrollment declines, achieving historic record enrollment this year and reaffirming its position as the largest single-campus community college district in the state.
• Expansion of Adult and Workforce Education: Under Dr. Garcia’s leadership, Mt. SAC has built the largest noncredit program in California, serving tens of thousands of adults seeking upskilling, English language learning, career advancement, and workforce pathways.
• National Leadership in Athletics: Mt. SAC continues to be recognized for the strongest community college athletic program in the United States, with championship-level performance and student-athlete success across multiple sports.
• Passage of a $750 million bond measure to complete the Tech & Health Building—the largest capital project in the California Community Colleges system—and modernize essential student-serving facilities.
• Completion of Mt. SAC 2035, an equity-minded, healing-centered strategic plan guiding the next decade of institutional priorities.
• Hosting the statewide Vision 2030 Noncredit Summit, further cementing the College’s leadership in adult education and workforce innovation.

Board President Peter Hidalgo emphasized the Board’s strong confidence in Dr. Garcia’s leadership and the significant momentum created during her tenure. “Dr. Garcia, without hesitation, has the full and complete support of this Board,” Hidalgo said. “She has brought stability, strategic clarity, and a powerful statewide presence to Mt. SAC. Her leadership has accelerated enrollment recovery, expanded opportunity, and strengthened programs that serve students across every community we reach. Dr. Garcia continues to elevate this institution, strengthen our reputation, and expand the opportunities we offer the communities we serve.”

Dr. Garcia expressed gratitude for the Board’s decision and reiterated her commitment to advancing the College’s mission. “I am blessed to lead this remarkable institution, and I am grateful for the Board of Trustees’ continued support,” she said. “We will continue working together to serve students with excellence, compassion, and purpose.”

The extended contract covers the period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029.