The time has come to introduce the next President of Moorpark College, Dr. Luis P. Sanchez, who starts on Monday Feb. 23.

“President Sanchez understands the importance of student success, and his depth of experience and knowledge will benefit Moorpark College’s employees, students, and community,” said Ventura County Committee College District Chancellor Jamillah Moore.

Sanchez said his first goal is to familiarize him self with people, programs and the polices of the college. Second, is to identify the issues that will require his immediate attention and figure out how to best address them.

“I have read the Educational Master Plan, the Strategic Plan, and other documents to help me become familiar with those issues, but I will be talking to as many students and employees as I can before I reach any major conclusions,” said Sanchez in an email.

To accomplish his first goal he intends to meet with every single employee and student who wish to meet with him.

“That will not be easy, but I will facilitate this goal by walking around the campus as often as possible, sitting in on classes as often as possible, guest lecturing periodically, and maintaining an open-door hour for drop-in visitors at least a couple of times a week,” said Sanchez.

Sanchez said he has a strong commitment to building and keeping positive leadership ethos.

“The obligation of senior leadership is to treat employees well, and to make sure that they have plenty of opportunities for professional development and career advancements,” said Sanchez.

Employees have an obligation to themselves and their students to strive toward continuous improvement, he said.

“This is not merely a hollow accreditation standard, it is the sine qua non of excellence, and I realize that if I am to expect this of our employees, I must model it every day,” said Sanchez.

The district wide Search Committee had a nationwide recruitment process that left only three finalist. After additional interviews, it was decided that Sanchez would be recommended to the Board of Trustees. It was then voted on that he will be the new President of Moorpark College, said VCCCD Chancellor Jamillah Moore in an email.

According to the VCCCD website, Sanchez, who was born in Laredo, Texas, has come to Moorpark College with a wealth of experience. Sanchez earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Los Angeles in 1976. In 1983 he gained his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of the Pacific. He earned his Master’s degree in Business and Tax Law from the McGeorge School of Law. At Sierra College he was honored twice by students with the Outstanding Instructor award. In July 2011 Sanchez became the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California.

Sanchez said he started dreaming about being a college president when he was a student at California State University.

“I used to walk by the president’s office and wonder what it was like to lead a college,” said Sanchez.

Vice Chair of VCCCD Board of Trustees Larry Kennedy said that Sanchez is familiar with the California community college system and that his past experience shows a solid connection with the community and students.

“I look forward to President Sanchez building relationships within the Moorpark College community,” said Kennedy.

Trustee Bernardo Perez said that Sanchez will bring his strong support for student success and will continue a record of exemplary leadership at the college.

Sanchez will be receiving an annual base salary of $186,134, according to the term of agreement in his contract which ends on June 30, 2017.

“I intend to do my utmost, every day of my service, to validate the trust they have placed in me and the kind welcome so many of you have extended to me already, for as many years as I am given wisdom, energy, and opportunity to lead this great college,” said Sanchez.