Superintendent/President - Napa

Lead Napa Valley College at a Transformative Moment · Napa Valley College invites exceptional leaders to apply for the position of Superintendent/President—an opportunity to guide a respected institution with deep community roots and a bold vision for the future. · About Napa Val ...

Job description

Lead Napa Valley College at a Transformative Moment

Napa Valley College invites exceptional leaders to apply for the position of Superintendent/President—an opportunity to guide a respected institution with deep community roots and a bold vision for the future.

About Napa Valley College

Established in 1942, Napa Valley College (NVC) is one of California's 116 public community colleges and a proud member of the California Community College system.

As an open-access, accredited, degree- and certificate-granting institution, NVC prepares students for meaningful lives and careers in a diverse, dynamic, and interconnected world.

The College offers a comprehensive range of academic and workforce programs, including transfer education, career technical education, basic skills, noncredit instruction, contract education, and lifelong learning opportunities.

Across all areas, Napa Valley College is deeply committed to continuous improvement, academic excellence, and student achievement.

Equity and inclusion are foundational to NVC's mission.

The College serves a richly diverse student population and is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, with Hispanic/Latine students comprising more than 43 percent of enrollment.

NVC offers robust academic and student support services, including Educational Talent Search, MESA/STEM, Kasasayan, Pride, Puente, and Umoja learning communities, comprehensive tutoring, and vibrant math and writing success centers—ensuring students are supported from entry through completion.

Programs that Reflect Place and Purpose

Napa Valley College is nationally recognized for career education programs aligned with regional and statewide workforce needs.

Signature programs include Viticulture and Winery Technology, Hospitality, Culinary and Tourism Management, Nursing, Respiratory Care, Criminal Justice, Child and Family Studies, Human Services, and Business—reflecting both Napa Valley's global identity and its evolving economy.

The College received a $10 million gift from the Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation, supporting the expansion of Viticulture, Wine, and Technology instructional facilities and reinforcing NVC's leadership role in this globally significant industry.

A Community-Supported Institution

As a Basic Aid district, Napa Valley College benefits from strong community support and engagement.

The College plays a central role in advancing regional economic vitality, workforce development, civic life, and cultural enrichment through partnerships, innovation, and service.

Campus and Community

Located approximately 50 miles northeast of San Francisco, Napa Valley College serves Napa County and portions of neighboring counties from multiple locations:

A 161-acre main campus just south of downtown Napa, featuring a five-acre working vineyard
The Upper Valley Campus in St. Helena, serving Calistoga and northern Napa Valley communities
An instructional site at American Canyon High School, supporting dual enrollment and community education

NVC also embarked on a major student success initiative with the development of River Trail Village, an on-campus student housing project designed to serve veterans, single parents, international students, families, and other students.

River Trail Village opened in August 2024 to strengthen enrollment, retention, and the overall student experience.

The Opportunity

The Governing Board of the Napa Valley Community College District seeks a collaborative, visionary leader to serve as Superintendent/President following the resignation of Dr.

Torence Powell, who is leaving to assume the position of Chancellor for the Los Rios Community College District.

The Superintendent/President serves as the chief executive officer and primary spokesperson for the district, reporting to a seven-member elected Board of Trustees and a student trustee.

The Board is seeking a leader who will maintain a strong campus and community presence, foster trust and shared governance, and guide the College through its next chapter with integrity, clarity, and purpose.

Napa Valley College is committed to attracting and retaining leaders who reflect the diversity of its students and communities.

The successful candidate will bring a clear-eyed understanding of the challenges facing community colleges today—and the optimism, creativity, and partnership mindset needed to build on NVC's many strengths.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a college where place, purpose, and possibility intersect—and to make a lasting impact on students, the region, and the future of higher education.

Superintendent/President Duties And Responsibilities

Visionary and External Leadership
Articulates and advances a compelling vision for Napa Valley College locally, regionally, and statewide
Serves as a visible, trusted ambassador who strengthens the College's reputation and community relationships
Builds and sustains partnerships with K–12, universities, business, industry, civic leaders, and government entities
Advances regional economic development, workforce alignment, and philanthropic support through the College Foundation.
Is entrepreneurial and effective in meaningful community engagement that leads to partnership commitments and enhanced resources for the institution.
Collaborative Governance and Organizational Leadership
Leads effectively in partnership with an elected Board of Trustees
Demonstrates a deep commitment to participatory governance, collegial consultation, and shared decision-making
Fosters a culture of trust, transparency, accountability, and respectful dialogue
Communicates clearly and consistently; listens actively and values diverse perspectives
Leads courageous conversations and manages change with integrity, fairness, and innovation
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racist practices
Leads institution-wide efforts to embed equity and race-conscious decision-making across policies and practices
Ensures inclusive campus climate, equitable hiring and retention, and accountability for progress
Respects and affirms the full diversity of identities, experiences, and perspectives within the College community
Student-Centered Learning and Academic Excellence
Champions student success, access, equity, and completion for all students
Leads implementation of Guided Pathways, AB 705, Vision for Success, and other statewide initiatives
Balances transfer, career education, basic skills, noncredit, and community education priorities
Supports innovation in pedagogy, technology-enhanced learning, and equitable virtual instruction and services
Maintains high academic standards and accreditation compliance
Strategic Management, Finance, and Operations
Provides strategic leadership in planning, resource allocation, and fiscal stewardship
Navigates budget uncertainty and evolving funding models with creativity and accountability
Oversees facilities planning, maintenance, modernization, and sustainability initiatives
Ensures compliance with accreditation, regulatory, and reporting requirements
Demonstrates commitment to employee well-being, professional development, and institutional sustainability

Leadership Traits and Characteristics

The Ideal Candidate…

Integrity, Character, and Trustworthiness
Demonstrates unquestioned personal and professional integrity, fairness, and ethical conduct
Inspires trust and confidence through consistency, reliability, and follow-through
Interpersonal Effectiveness and Presence
Is visible, accessible, and genuinely engaged across the campus and community
Interacts positively and respectfully with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and trustees
Engenders respect and confidence through authentic engagement and personal credibility
Judgment, Decision-Making, and Political Acumen
Exercises sound judgment, including the ability to assess political and organizational dynamics
Makes timely decisions, including difficult ones, while tolerating ambiguity when necessary
Uses data thoughtfully while balancing human, cultural, and contextual factors
Resilience and Courage
Demonstrates resilience, perseverance, and courage in addressing conflict, resistance, and complex challenges
Is willing to engage in difficult conversations and stay the course through adversity
Team Building and Motivation
Builds strong, effective teams and empowers others to perform at their highest level
Motivates and inspires individuals and groups through clarity of purpose and example
Flexibility and Emotional Intelligence
Exhibits patience, flexibility, empathy, and self-awareness
Brings divergent perspectives together with emotional intelligence and respect
Personal Commitment to the Institution
Demonstrates genuine enthusiasm for the mission and work of Napa Valley College
Models commitment, energy, and professionalism as a visible example to others

Education & Experience


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Master's degree from an accredited institution or equivalent.
3 years of successful higher education senior level experience
Experience working in a diverse academic and socioeconomic educational environment.

Demonstrated commitment to equity-focused leadership, responsiveness, and sensitivity to every aspect of human diversity and active promotion of an inclusive educational and working environment.

A proven track record of successful senior management experience including sound business practices and a strong demonstrated experience in fiscal management, complex budget development (including position control, performance-based and zero-based budgeting) and financial resource development.

Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and student success.

Desired Qualifications

An earned doctorate or other terminal degree from an accredited institution.
Five or more years demonstrated experience as a successful higher education senior administrator.
Postsecondary teaching experience, preferably in community colleges.
Experience in collegial consultation governance and demonstrated collective bargaining experience within a college environment.
Experience in economic development.
A strong background in instruction, student services, and/or business services

Compensation

The salary, benefits, length of contract and other terms and conditions of employment are negotiable, but will be competitive. The desired start date for the new superintendent/president is tentatively set for June 1, 2026. The exact date is subject to mutual agreement between the Board of Trustees and the successful candidate.

Title 8, USC, Section 1324-A requires verification of eligibility for employment in the United States.

Applicants must complete the online application through
All elements of the application must be submitted in order for the application to be considered complete.
Internal applicants are still required to submit a complete application for this position. This includes submission of transcripts and all other required application materials.

Applicants must attach the following to complete the application process:

A letter of interest, not to exceed three pages, that addresses:
How your skills and experience have prepared you for the duties and responsibilities of the position as outlined in this Position Announcement; and
How you meet the minimum and desirable qualifications for the position.
Current comprehensive resume.
Legible copies of transcripts verifying college work, degrees, and conferral dates.


NOTE:

Unofficial copies of transcripts are accepted during the application process; however, official transcripts will be required upon offer of employment.

Foreign Transcripts:

Napa Valley College requires that individuals who have completed college or university course work at an institution in a country other than the United States must obtain a complete evaluation of foreign transcripts, degrees and other relevant documents.

A foreign transcript evaluation is required any time foreign course work is used to meet minimum qualifications and/or salary placement, even if the foreign transcript has previously been accepted by a different college or university in the United States.

Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by one of the organizations approved by the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Please click here for a list of approved organizations.

It is important that your application reflect all of your relevant education and experience. Please note that your resume does NOT take the place of completing the "Work Experience" section of the application.

Applications will be rejected if no work experience is listed or if other required application fields are missing or incomplete.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all required application materials are completed and properly uploaded into the system.

Only complete applications will be forwarded to the selection committee for further review. An application is only considered complete if all items above are uploaded.

All required application materials must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday March 13, 2026. Please do not submit material not requested.

Application materials submitted become the property of Napa Valley College and the Department of Human Resources cannot copy, return or transfer material to other positions.

Any expenses incurred in connection with the initial interview will be the responsibility of the candidate. The college will reimburse certain travel expenses associated with second interviews (if applicable) depending on distance of travel.

The District will not accept materials by e-mail, fax, or mail for this position.


SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS:

If you need special services or facilities due to a disability in order to apply or interview for this opening, please contact the Department of Human Resources.

Resource Page

Recruitment Timeline


DATE

ACTION
February 6, 2026

Position posted - application submission process begins

March 13, 2026

Final date of submissions of applications

April - 10, 2026

First round of remote interviews

April 27, 2026

Finalist interviews (in-person)

Contact Us

Community College Search Services (CCSS) is pleased to have been selected to assist the College in this important search and selection process.

Any questions or confidential inquiries you or others might have about the Napa Valley Community College District, or the Napa Valley College Superintendent/President position may be directed to CCSS Search Consultant Stan A.

Carrizosa Sr. at stan.solutions.

For questions regarding the online application portal and related software functions, please contact Noreen Obiacoro