FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — The State Center Community College District is taking a preliminary step toward replacing Chancellor Dr. Carole Goldsmith.
“There is a new ad hoc committee, which you heard about earlier from President Fuentes. It is the Chancellor search ad hoc committee,” said Dr. Goldsmith.
Board members Danielle Parra, Robert Fuentes, and Magdelena Gomez will work together to find a hiring firm tto lead the search for Dr. Goldsmith’s successor.
She has held the position since 2022 and announced plans last month to retire in September 2026.
In an exclusive interview with Action News after that announcement, Doctor Goldsmith said the district is in a good place as she ends her decades-long career in education.
“There’s a time and a season for everything, and so this is my season for change,” said Dr. Goldsmith.
But some district employees said there has been disrespect toward faculty leaders, and the culture under Chancellor Goldsmith has prompted the faculty union and the academic senate to call for a vote of no confidence. They are calling for her resignation.
“We want to communicate to the board, maybe this is the culture you’ve become familiar with but just because it’s been normalized doesn’t mean it’s normal or that it should be accepted,” said Kate Husain.
Others who have worked closely with Dr. Goldsmith have a different perspective.
“At no point in time since I’ve met her has she been unkind, dismissive, or anything like that. Whenever we spoke about the southwest campus, she listened intently,” said Michaelynn Lewis.
The tension comes as the district and the State Center Federation of Teachers are in the midst of union contract negotiations.
A statement from the chancellor’s office says, “We remain committed to bargaining in good faith through the appropriate channels. The best place to resolve issues is at the bargaining table. Our shared goal is to serve students, and we believe that continued dialogue will help us move forward together. We take concerns seriously and address them through established processes and collective bargaining agreements. Public comment is important, and we are responsive to issues brought forward. The appropriate venue for resolving many of the issues presented is at the bargaining table, where we can work toward solutions that serve both employees and students. We understand that negotiations can create tension, and allegations and claims can become part of bargaining tactics, but they don’t reflect the reality of our organization. The State Center Community College District is strong and thriving enrollment is at record levels, finances are solid, and student success continues to rise. We’re proud of the collaborative, student-centered culture that values inclusion, respect, and innovation. A great example of that is our Vision/Mission 2035 plan, which we adopted after 71 meetings across all campus sites with participation from faculty, classified professionals, trustees, students, and the community at large. That process shows broad alignment and a shared commitment to our mission. Our focus remains on advancing that mission and keeping the district moving forward.”
We did want to ask the chancellor specific questions regarding the comments made tonight but her office declined our request.
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