November 21, 2024
Contact: Melissa Villarin
Office: 916-327-5365
Office E-mail: MVillarin@CCCCO.edu
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Community Colleges Board of Governors on Monday unanimously elected Hildegarde B. Aguinaldo as the governing board’s president and Bill Rawlings as vice president.
“I am honored for the opportunity to lead the board,” said Aguinaldo. “I am deeply committed to our students and firmly believe that California community colleges are a powerful force for change, providing students with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities they need to meet their higher educational goals. In these crucial times, our mission continues to advance Vision 2030 objectives and ensure all of our students know that no matter where they come from, they will find their path to success.”
The Board of Governors elects a president and vice president every November to serve one-year terms. Aguinaldo, who previously served as vice president, succeeds Amy M. Costa, who served for two years as board president. Costa returns to the board for the remainder of her six-year appointment.
“I thank my fellow board members for their confidence in me and look forward to working with President Aguinaldo to meet our student-centered goals.,” said Bill Rawlings. “We are ready to continue our vital work to provide all of our students access to a quality education, eliminating equity gaps and strengthening our communities.”
“I want to congratulate President Aguinaldo and Vice President Rawlings on their selection to these important leadership roles, “ said California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian. “I am grateful for their partnership, as well as the experience and expertise they bring to their new positions. Our board is in good hands as it moves forward in its unwavering commitment to meeting the needs of today’s students.”
Christian added, “I also want to thank former President Costa for her leadership over the past several years. She is a true champion for students, and her dedication to our system is second to none. We are incredibly lucky to have her as a member of our board.”
Aguinaldo, who was appointed to the board in 2018, serves as senior director and assistant general counsel for DaVita Inc., an international healthcare company, where she provides strategic counsel as lead of a litigation team and ongoing support to its enterprise-wide Diversity & Belonging efforts. Prior to DaVita, Aguinaldo served as litigation counsel on the governing board of numerous public and private healthcare entities, ranging from hospitals to health plans to regulatory and advisory boards. She also currently serves on the Board of Governors of the Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Alliance, where she continues her long-standing work to celebrate the contributions of the Asian American community and empowering students and attorneys to advance in the legal profession.
Bill Rawlings, who was also appointed to the board in 2018, has been a coordinator in the Academic Technology & Infrastructure department at Mt. San Antonio College since 1999, after beginning his career in education in 1993. His work currently focuses on closing digital equity gaps among the diverse student population. He is a member of International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), California School Employees Association (CSEA) and Kiwanis International. Rawlings has volunteered his leadership extensively with CSEA, having served multiple terms on their Board of Directors and as Chair of their Legislative Committee. Currently, he leads the CSEA Community College Committee, which focuses on researching, educating, and communicating issues concerning classified employees.
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; and degree and certificate pathways. As the state’s engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports the Vision 2030, a strategic plan designed to improve student success, our communities and our planet. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
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