Pasadena City College Appoints New Executive Team Members

The Pasadena Area Community College Board of Trustees unanimously voted to approve the appointment of five new members of the Pasadena City College Executive Team. The appointments are the culmination of an extensive, four-month, nationwide search.  Three hiring committees comprised of faculty, staff and students screened, interviewed and recommended the finalists to the administration.

The Board welcomes Dr. Richard van Pelt as vice president of Administrative Services, Robert Miller as vice president of Educational Services, Dr. Benedict Lastimado as vice president of Human resources, Dwayne Cable as vice president of Information Technology, and Dr. Robert Bell as vice president of Student and Learning Services.

“I am delighted to welcome the new members of the Executive Team to PCC,” said Dr. Mark W. Rocha, PCC superintendent/president. “I especially want to thank the hiring committees for their excellent work.  I know that the staff, faculty, students, and the community will be very pleased with these new members of the institution through the caliber of their expertise, their dedication to students, and their enthusiasm to help PCC become a global community college for the 21st century.”

Van Pelt has been serving as the interim vice president for Administrative Services at PCC for two years and has been with the college for more than 24 years. He previous served as director of PCC Facilities and Engineering services since 1997. He holds a Ph.D. in administrative management from Walden University, an M.B.A. and a Master’s of Science in Business Organizational Management from the University of La Verne, and a bachelor’s degree from Ambassador College.

Miller is no stranger to PCC as well. He has been with the college for more than 14 years, most recently serving as the interim dean of Educational Services (2009). Previously, he was vice president of marketing and sales for INTELECOM. He currently sits on the board of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association. Miller holds an associate degree from PCC, a bachelor’s degree from the University of La Verne, and a master’s degree in Public Administration from California State University, Northridge. He is currently working toward a doctorate at La Verne.

Lastimado most recently served as the assistant vice chancellor of Human Resources and Labor Relations for the University of California, Merced. His community college experience consists of a six-year stint as vice chancellor of Human Resources and Labor Relations for the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. From 2004 to 2009, he served as vice president for Human Resources and Labor relations for Clover Park Technical School and also served as a Human Resources Officer in the United States Army for more than 20 years. Lastimada holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Seattle University, a Master’s of Science in Business Administration from Boston University, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland.

Cable is a community college graduate (Wayne Community College) and also holds a bachelor’s degree and M.B.A. from Western Carolina University. He most recently served as vice president of Information Technology for Joliet Junior College. He has held positions in the information technology field at the Ventura Community College District, Mt. San Antonio College, Aims Community College, George Washington University, and Morehead State University.

Bell most recently served as the director of Extended Learning for Antelope Valley College. He previously served as senior vice president for Academic and Student Affairs for the Louisiana Community and Technical College system and vice president of Student Services at Chaffey College. Dr. Bell holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in counseling from the University of Redlands, and an Ed.D. from the University of the Pacific.

Established in 1924, Pasadena City College has been serving the San Gabriel Valley for more than 85 years. PCC enrolls more than 30,000 students each semester and offers 60 academic and 76 Career and Technical Education programs. The main college campus occupies an idyllic 53-acre site, while the Community Education Center and Child Development Center are located in separate facilities. The college is renowned for its high student transfer rate, national mathematics and forensic honors, and extensive study abroad offerings. PCC is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. For more information go to www.pasadena.edu.