By Tadzio Garcia
The Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees approved the seventh permanent president of East Los Angeles College, Marvin Martinez, on Jan. 31.
Martinez has been the president of Los Angeles Harbor College since August, 2010.
He transfers to his new position at ELAC on July 1.
A memo from LACCD Chancellor Daniel J. LaVista said, “He brings a wealth of leadership experience to his new post. I am confident that ELAC students, staff, faculty and administrators will appreciate his insight, collaborative leadership style and commitment to student success in the months and years to come. I am very glad that he will remain with the District, though I suspect that the Los Angeles Harbor College community will miss him.”
Martinez was previously the LACCD vice chancellor of Economic and Workforce Development. The LACCD raised more than $20 million in economic and workforce development grants, with Martinez heading this area.
Before working in the LACCD system, Martinez was vice president for Planning and Development for the Santa Monica Community College District as well as provost for Santa Monica College. Prior to that Martinez was dean of business and industry at Cerritos College.
Martinez was chosen from a two-year nationwide search, which was conducted twice.
During this time, the president’s job was filled by interims, currently with Farley Herzek who is popular among students.
“Mr. Herzek is a visible face on campus and supports students. I am sorry to see him go,” said sophomore student Juan Rodriguez, kinesiology major.
Herzek’s position ends June 30.
“They have hired a person with a great deal of skill and expertise who is passionate about education. I’m sure he will do a great job,” Herzek said.
Martinez earned a bachelor of arts degree in English and a master of arts degree in urban planning from UCLA. He graduated from Long Beach Wilson High School.
“He can do great things here. I hope he also gives back to the community,” said Rodriguez.
Martinez did not return calls for comment to Campus News.