LBCC President Selected

Reagan Romali will become president of Long Beach City College.

The LBCC Board of Trustees voted in favor of Romali to lead the two-campus community college during the latest board meeting, March 28. The vote was unanimous with one trustee absent.

Former LBCC Superintendent-President Eloy Ortiz Oakley left the college in December to take the position of Chancellor of the California Community College System.

A presidential search committee was formed and ultimately recommended five final candidates to the Board of Trustees for further consideration. In the end the elected officials chose Romali.

A vote to finalize Romali’s position will take place at the next monthly board meeting, April 25. She will most likely begin work May 15.

“I voted in favor of hiring Dr. Reagan Romali because of her experience in upper level management at several community colleges, her experience as a member of the faculty and finally because I believe she has the personal characteristics and experience to help the faculty, staff and administration to implement the LBCC strategic plan,” LBCC Board of Trustees President Virginia Baxter said through email. “She is very approachable and anxious to become an active member of our community.”

Trustee Jeff Kellogg missed the March 28 vote due to a work-related situation. He said he will work with the new president to make sure LBCC remains a great college.

“I work professionally with a company that provides services to community colleges. I was required to fly the day of our Tuesday meeting to accommodate scheduled meetings at a college Wednesday morning. First time I have had such a conflict,” he said through email. 

“As I have done previously, I will work with our superintendent-president to ensure that LBCC continues to be one of the finest colleges in the state and nation. The meeting (March 28) was officially announcing our decision. The decision to offer her the position took place prior to the Trustee meeting and I was in attendance for the decision,” he added.

Romali has been president of Harry S. Truman College in Chicago since 2011, one of the city’s community colleges.

“I plan to continue the impressive work being done at Long Beach City College and to build on the successes the college has already achieved,” Romali said in a LBCC press-release statement. “I look forward to returning to Southern California and serving the students in the community.”

Romali worked in Southern California prior to Truman College.

The LBCC media release explains, “She served as Vice President of Business Services at Moreno Valley College, where she led a team in helping the campus gain accredited college status in California. She also served as Vice President of Administrative Services at Los Angeles City College.

“Romali also oversaw the launch of two Houston Community College District campuses in the Middle Eastern nation of Qatar. Additionally, she taught on an adjunct basis for more than 10 years.

“Currently, Romali serves on the Board of Directors for Weiss Memorial Hospital of Tenet Healthcare and Uptown United. She is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Chicago Sinfonietta.

“Romali holds a Ph.D. in Education from Walden University, an MBA from the University of San Diego and a BA in English from Rutgers University.”

 kirt@beachcomber.news