The West Hills Community College District (WHCCD), announced today the retirement of Chancellor Dr. Kristin Clark  effective July 2024. For the past two years, Chancellor Clark has served as chair of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium Board of Directors, which is made up of the chancellors, presidents and campus directors of 28 institutions of higher education in the region’s nine-county area. She also served on the board during her term as president of West Hills College Lemoore prior to the WHCCD chancellorship. The West Hills Community College District will soon initiate a search for a new chancellor. Dr. Benjamín Durán, CVHEC executive director, issued the following statement.

Dr. Benjamín Durán, CVHEC executive director,  and WHCCD Chancellor Kristin Clark at the Central Valley Higher Education Summit October 19, 2023 where she delivered the welcome address.

UPDATE July 26, 2024: Chancellor Clark honored at farewell reception (see photo gallery below).

STATEMENT

Chancellor Clark: a champion

of higher education for all

We at the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium along with so many others in the region and the state, are experiencing mixed feelings with Chancellor Kristin Clark’s announcement of her retirement effective the end of this academic year.

We are happy for Chancellor Clark as she completes a stellar academic career this spring in preparation for her retirement but at the same time we are saddened that the Central Valley region is losing a leader of her caliber.   As the chair of the 28-member CVHEC Board of Directors the last two years, Chancellor Clark has been a champion of higher education for all and certainly for the initiatives and projects the Consortium has undertaken. She has been instrumental in building our network of Central Valley college and university leaders to speak in a single voice on higher education policy issues.

Additionally, Chancellor Clark is recognized throughout the state as the leader of one of the most innovative and student-centered multi-college districts in rural California.  The West Hills Community College District and the communities it serves have been fortunate to receive her professional and personal leadership.

Please join us in wishing Dr. Clark all the best, as she gets ready to explore the next phase of her life. Well done, Kristin!

Benjamín Durán, Ed.D.
Executive Director – The Central Valley Higher Education Consortium  
President-emeritus – Merced College

See the WHCCD  retirement  announcement press release.

Bio – Chancellor Kristin Clark

Chancellor Clark Farewell Reception – CVHEC photo gallery: