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James Todd, PhD
Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs
James Todd has nearly two decades of leadership experience in instruction and student services across California’s community colleges. As vice chancellor of Academic Affairs, he’s responsible for guiding systemwide efforts to enhance teaching and learning, promote academic innovation, strengthen transfer pathways, and expand equitable access to high-quality programs.
Todd most recently served as an assistant vice chancellor for the Educational Services and Support Division. Prior to that, he held executive leadership positions including vice president of Student Services at Modesto Junior College, assistant superintendent/vice president of Instruction and Planning at San Joaquin Delta College, and assistant superintendent/vice president of Student Services at Sierra College. He previously served as a tenured professor of anthropology and as Academic Senate president at Modesto Junior College, and as an elected statewide faculty leader and area representative on the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. His leadership includes involvement in national reform efforts such as Achieving the Dream, as well as local implementation of Guided Pathways and other student-centered strategies.
Todd is deeply committed to expanding educational access and opportunities for underserved communities, advancing student success and completion, and building pathways to economic mobility and equitable post-graduation outcomes.
Todd holds an associate degree from Brevard Community College; a bachelor's degree in anthropology and international relations from New College of Florida; a master’s degree in anthropology and international development from The George Washington University; and a doctoral degree in cultural anthropology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He has also completed the Harvard Institute for Educational Management, the California Education Policy Fellowship Program, and the Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence.
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Stacey Shears, EdD
Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs
Stacey Shears, a dedicated higher education leader with more than two decades of experience advancing equity, inclusion, and student success, serves as vice chancellor of Student Services, providing essential expertise and strategic leadership in Division program areas such as: Open Educational Resources and Zero Textbook Cost; Student Financial Aid; Transfer and Articulation; and Veterans Services, among many other areas. This is a critical position responsible for the development, implementation and management of the Division.
Prior to joining the Chancellor’s Office in 2025, Shears served as vice president of Student Services at Berkeley City College. She’s also held roles including division dean for Disability Support Services at De Anza College, tenured Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) counselor, counselor/coordinator and Academic Student Services manager at Diablo Valley College, and director of the Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity at University of California, Santa Barbara. Shears has contributed to the California Community Colleges system through leadership with duties such as, providing on site DSPS program review for the Chancellor’s Office and serving on a planning committee for the system’s LGBTQ Summit. She’s the current president-elect of the California Community College Chief Student Services Association and board member and co-chair of Admin 101 professional development program for the Association of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA).
Throughout her career, Shears has championed social justice, cultural humility, and inclusion in higher education. She brings passion, purpose, and a people-centered approach to her work.
Shears earned a bachelor’s degree in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from the City College of New York, a master’s degree in human development: College Student Personnel from the University of Rhode Island, and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership, with a concentration on community colleges, from San Francisco State University.
