SAN MARCOS, CA (June 17, 2016) – The Palomar Community College District Governing Board voted Friday, June 17 to appoint Joi Lin Blake, Ed.D. as the new Superintendent/President of Palomar College. Blake has over 30 years of progressive administrative and leadership experience and is currently president at College of Alameda in the Peralta Community College District, where she has served for 1 1/2 years. Blake will begin her duties at Palomar on July 11.
“We are excited that Dr. Blake will be joining Palomar College as our 10th Superintendent/President,” stated Mark Evilsizer, Palomar Community College District Governing Board President. “Her enthusiasm, professionalism and progressive leadership will help steer the college into the future, as we continue to provide the highest level of educational excellence for the region.”
Her leadership skills and qualifications include experience developing and implementing innovative programs for diverse traditional and nontraditional student populations in credit, non-credit and contract education programs. Her scope of responsibilities has included providing leadership for the development, implementation and evaluation of key components of instruction and student services programs.
Blake is known as a progressive leader who utilizes organizational change strategy as an essential tool to achieve institutional outcomes and effectiveness. She has provided leadership for national, district and campus-wide strategic planning initiatives, working closely with campus and community constituents to ensure programs and services are strategically and systematically aligned with the institutional priorities outlined in the district/campus strategic plan, accreditation requirements, education/facilities master plan, student learning/service area outcomes, planning and research data.
“I view this position at Palomar College as an opportunity of a lifetime,” said Blake. “When I look at the vision for the college and its core values, I am excited to begin this new journey. I look forward to working with the outstanding faculty, staff and administrators and with the community-at-large. Together, I know that we can continue to provide the finest quality education for North San Diego County and that together, we can help each student achieve his or her personal academic goals.”
Blake’s previous administrative and leadership positions include Vice President of Student Services at Skyline College; Dean of Student Development and Matriculation at San Diego Mesa College; and Interim Dean of Instructional Support Services, Interim Staff Development Coordinator, and Academic Senate President at Southwestern College. She also formerly served as a tenured Professor/Counselor.
At the national level, Blake served as Policy Assistant for the U.S. Department of Education, in the Offices of the Under Secretary, Dr. Martha Kanter, and Vocational and Adult Education. She has served on the statewide Chief Student Services Officers Board and currently is treasurer on the International Education Board.
Blake’s accomplishments include the development and implementation of a number of successful partnerships between education and community organizations. Such organizations include a nationally recognized African American/Latino Male Leadership Summit, the Alameda Chamber of Commerce, American Association of University Women (AAUW), BART, Alameda League of Women Voters, Perforce Technology, Girls, Inc.-Alameda, NPOWER, Tenacity 10 Lacrosse, and Tesla Motor.
Within the first eight months of her presidency at Alameda, Blake was responsible for resource growth in excess of $800,000. Under her leadership, the College of Alameda will launch the College of Alameda Promise Program in fall 2016 for Alameda High School graduates. Students will attend the first year of college free; this initiative supports President Obama’s College Promise Program. Additionally, Blake has served as a guest speaker on financial capabilities initiatives for Achieving the Dream, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, and Annie E. Casey Foundation National Conference.
She holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Post-Secondary Education and a Master of Arts in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling from San Diego State University, and a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Health Science and a minor in Spanish from San Francisco State University.
Blake replaces Adrian Gonzales, who was appointed as Interim Superintendent/President when former Superintendent/President Robert P. Deegan retired in June, 2015. Gonzales will return to his previous position as Vice President, Student Services.
Palomar College is a comprehensive public two-year community college in North San Diego County. Palomar Community College District serves one-quarter of San Diego County, or approximately 2500-square miles. The College offers over 250 degree and certificate programs to nearly 25,000 students annually.
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