College of the Desert’s Board of Trustees were expected to formally finalize the hiring of Val Martinez Garcia as the college’s ninth superintendent Friday.
College officials announced Wednesday that Garcia was chosen for having served more than two decades in leadership in higher education, including his role as vice president of instruction, his contributions to the Indio campus expansion and to the design of the Palm Springs campus.
The board in partnership with a specialized hiring firm received a total of 73 qualified applications from around the country, the college stated.
On May 1, the college held a public forum between four semi-finalists at its campus, at 43500 Monterey Ave., and a closed session interview was conducted by the board the following day.
Garci holds a master of science degree in school counseling and a bachelor of science degree in sociology from the University of La Verne, and is currently pursuing his doctoral degree in organizational leadership.
“In Mr. Val Martinez Garcia, we have a leader who deeply understands both the challenges and opportunities facing College of the Desert,” Board Chair Dr. Joel Kinnamon in a statement. “His collaborative approach and commitment to educational excellence will help us build on our strengths and address the evolving needs of our students and community.”