Employment Contract For College Of Desert's New Leader Gets OK'd

PALM DESERT, CA — It's official: College of the Desert's new leader can begin work.

At its regularly scheduled meeting Friday, the Desert Community College District Board of Trustees ratified the employment contract of Martha Garcia, Ed.D., who assumes the role as the college's new superintendent/president.

In July, the board voted 3-2 to bring Garcia on as the new leader, with trustees Wilson, Rubén AríAztlán Perez and Bea Gonzalez voting in favor of the action. She was among three candidates who made it to a shortlist for the board's consideration.

Under the terms of her COD agreement, Garcia’s tenure runs through June 30, 2024. Her annual salary is $355,000 plus benefits. She will be the eighth president to lead the college in its 63-year history. She follows in the footsteps of Joel L. Kinnamon, Ed.D., who announced late last year that he was retiring as College of the Desert superintendent/president effective March 31.

“Dr. Garcia is a proven leader who understands and welcomes the unique and diverse needs of our students, and I am confident she will do great things at College of the Desert,” Board Chair Aurora Wilson said.

Garcia most recently served as the superintendent/president of Imperial Valley College, where she developed numerous government-funded programs to serve underrepresented students, according to COD officials.

“College of the Desert is well known for its commitment and innovative approach to serving students. I am excited to join the college and look forward to building upon its culture of success and taking it to an even greater level,” Garcia said.

Garcia has been employed in a California community college since 1999 and has held several positions under student and academic services, according to COD officials.

She earned a doctorate of education in educational leadership from San Diego State University, a master’s degree in educational counseling from National University, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from San Diego State University, and an associate degree from Imperial Valley College.

A product of the community college system herself, Garcia said she hopes her educational journey can inspire others.

“Education plays an important role in our society. My parents were farmworkers who didn’t speak English, and I was the first in my family to go to college,” Garcia said. “I hope students in the Coachella Valley can see themselves in me and know that anything is possible through education. It’s both a privilege and an honor to give back to these students and inspire the next generation of leaders.”