Dr. Cherina Betters Sworn In to SBCCD Board of Trustees

Her appointment is to complete the term vacated by Dr. Anne Viricel, with the seat up for election on the Nov. 5, 2024, ballot.

SBCCD Colleges
3 min readJul 15, 2024
SBCCD Trustee Dr. Cherina Betters

San Bernardino, CA — The San Bernardino Community College District has welcomed Dr. Cherina Betters to its Board of Trustees.

  • Dr. Betters was sworn in on July 11 after being appointed by the board on June 13.
  • She will represent Area 7, which includes Highland, Lake Arrowhead, surrounding mountain communities, and neighborhoods around the San Bernardino International Airport.
  • Dr. Betters succeeds Dr. Anne Viricel, who served on the board for nine years until June 30.
  • Her appointment is to complete the term vacated by Dr. Viricel, with the seat up for election on the November 5, 2024, ballot.

Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, who recognized Dr. Betters as the 2021 Woman of the Year in California’s 23rd Senate District, conducted the oath of office.

📷 See photo gallery.

Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (left) conducted the oath of office for Dr. Cherina Better on July 11 at the SBCCD Boardroom in San Bernardino. Photo credit: Erick Zambrano/SBCCD.

The trustees oversee the educational mission and set policy for the district, which serves nearly 20,000 students through Crafton Hills College, San Bernardino Valley College, KVCR Public Media, and the Economic Development & Corporate Training Center.

Since 2020, Dr. Betters has been the Chief of Equity and Access at the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, where she created the Student Voice Advisory Council.

  • This initiative supports alternative education students who are potential community college or vocational school attendees post-graduation.
  • Dr. Betters is also an adjunct professor in both the Teacher Education & Foundations and Educational Leadership & Technology departments at the College of Education at Cal State San Bernardino.

What they’re saying: Board Chair Dr. Stephanie Houston expressed enthusiasm about Dr. Betters joining the board, stating, “Dr. Betters brings a wealth of experience and a heartfelt commitment to educational equity that aligns perfectly with our district’s goals. We are excited about the fresh perspectives she will bring to our efforts in enhancing educational opportunities and outcomes for all our students.”

SBCCD Board of Trustees on July 11 at the SBCCD Boardroom in San Bernardino. From left: SBCCD Student Trustee Hadi Natour, Student Trustee Nelva Ruiz-Martinez, Board Vice Chair Dr. Nathan Gonzales, Board Chair Dr. Stephanie Houston, Trustee Dr. Cherina Betters, Chancellor Dr. Diana Z. Rodriguez, Trustee John Longville, and Trustee Joseph R. Williams. Photo credit: Erick Zambrano/SBCCD.

Previously, Dr. Betters served as an administrator at San Jacinto Unified School District from 2018 to 2020 and as a teacher in the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District from 2004 to 2018. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership and administration from Cal State San Bernardino.

Dr. Betters is deeply connected to the region.

  • She is set to become the president of the Association of California School Administrators Region 12 and serves on the board of Santa Claus Incorporated, a nonprofit that has supported vulnerable children in the Inland Empire for over 68 years.
  • She is also involved with Project Impact, a CSUSB advisory committee focused on diversifying the teaching profession.
  • Additionally, Dr. Betters is an advisory committee member for First 5 of San Bernardino and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s NextGen Information Exchange Committee.

“I am a product of the community college system,” said Dr. Betters, emphasizing her deep connection to the mission and impact of community education. Dr. Betters is also a proud parent of six children and one grandchild.

When asked about her vision for community colleges, Dr. Betters stated, “The purpose of community colleges is to influence and impact the trajectory of the lives, careers, and opportunities of the students they serve.” She views her role on the board as an extension of her lifelong commitment to education, aiming to be a change agent in the lives of students and the broader college community.

SBCCD Trustee Area 5 remains vacant following the retirement of long-serving Trustee Gloria Macias Harrison, who stepped down on June 30.

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SBCCD Colleges
SBCCD Colleges

Written by SBCCD Colleges

San Bernardino Community College District opens doors of opportunity for 20,000 students at Crafton Hills College & San Bernardino Valley College. www.sbccd.edu