SBCCD Chancellor Appoints Dr. Gilbert J. Contreras as 15th President of San Bernardino Valley College
Highlights:
- Dr. Contreras, who holds a Ph.D. from UCLA in Urban Planning, a Masters in City Planning from MIT, and a B.A. from UC Berkeley, has over 17 years of leadership experience in California’s community colleges.
- Dr. Contreras steps into his new role on July 1, taking the helm of the college as it approaches its 100th anniversary, marking a significant milestone for the institution.
San Bernardino, CA — The San Bernardino Community College District is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Gilbert J. Contreras as the next president of San Bernardino Valley College. This appointment, made by Chancellor Diana Z. Rodriguez and confirmed by the SBCCD Board of Trustees on Thursday, May 9, follows a national search involving students, faculty, classified professionals, administrators, alumni, and community stakeholders. Dr. Contreras steps into his new role on July 1, taking the helm of the college as it nears its 100th anniversary, a major milestone for the institution.
Dr. Contreras, who holds a Ph.D. from UCLA in Urban Planning, a Masters in City Planning from MIT, and a B.A. from UC Berkeley, has over 17 years of leadership experience in California’s community colleges. He served as Vice President of Student Services and Interim President at Fullerton College. He also brings a strong connection to the local higher education landscape, having taught at CSU San Bernardino, where he instructed a doctoral course on governance and policy.
He served as an Instructor and Teaching Fellow at UCLA in the Department of Chicana/o Studies and led the first-ever Chicana/o Studies module at MIT. His scholarly work has contributed to prominent publications and conferences with an emphasis on community colleges.
SBCCD Chancellor Rodriguez underscored Dr. Contreras’s background by stating, “Dr. Contreras’s remarkable accomplishments are a testament to the life-changing power of education, offering hope and inspiration to our students and community alike. As we redouble our efforts to promote upward mobility in the region — empowering students to pursue rewarding careers and further education at four-year universities — we sought a leader with a proven record and fresh insights to elevate SBVC as a place of opportunity. As we enter our next century of service, we wanted a president who could lead through this exciting time while expanding upon our tradition of excellence. I extend a warm welcome to Dr. Contreras and express my profound gratitude to Dr. Linda Fontanilla for her exemplary leadership as interim president, ensuring SBVC’s ongoing success.”
SBCCD Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Stephanie Houston added, “Dr. Contreras has demonstrated a strong commitment to creating educational opportunities for all students, aligning perfectly with our vision for SBVC. We look forward to supporting his work in expanding access and opening doors of opportunity.”
Outgoing Interim President Dr. Linda Fontanilla highlighted the collaborative spirit of the SBVC community, saying, “San Bernardino Valley College is a special place with a shared commitment to student success. I’ve been deeply grateful for the support and warmth this incredible community has shown me, and I encourage everyone to welcome Dr. Contreras with that same spirit. I have no doubt he’ll keep our momentum going strong as we approach our centennial anniversary in 2026.”
Crafton Hills College President Dr. Kevin Horan shared his excitement about future collaboration, saying, “Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley share a mission to uplift all students and our region. I’m looking forward to working alongside Dr. Contreras to keep the doors of opportunity open for everyone in our community through our sister colleges. Together, we’ll continue doing the important work of ensuring our students receive the support they need to thrive.”
Dr. Contreras expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “I am honored to serve as president of San Bernardino Valley College, and I’m grateful to the visionary people who built this institution. Thank you for entrusting me to steward San Bernardino Valley College as the 15th President. Together, we will advance student success and student equity, expand career and transfer opportunities, and strengthen partnerships with alumni and community members across the Inland Empire. I am inspired by San Bernardino Valley College’s academic excellence, tradition, innovation, diversity, and the space that it holds in the hearts of the community. San Bernardino Valley College is truly a beacon of opportunity in the Inland Empire. I look forward to working collaboratively alongside faculty, classified professionals, managers, students, alumni, and the community to transform lives and inspire positive change in the region and world.”
Since its founding in 1926, San Bernardino Valley College has equipped thousands of students for university transfer and career success. With more than 140 academic and hands-on career education programs, SBVC is now in the midst of a 10-year capital improvement campaign aimed at building and modernizing classrooms, labs, and job training facilities to strengthen the local workforce and economy. To learn more, go to www.ValleyCollege.edu.
