SDCCD: Dr. Joel Peterson Hired As SDCCD Vice Chancellor Of Facilities Management

Press release from San Diego Community College District:

February 28, 2022

Joel L.A. Peterson, Ph.D., an experienced higher education leader and former business
executive, has been named vice chancellor of Facilities Management for the San Diego
Community College District (SDCCD).

Peterson will oversee facilities and construction for one of California’s largest
community college districts. In addition, he will be responsible for the SDCCD Police
and completion of the district’s $1.6 billion bond construction program.

“Joel possess a strong combination of management skills and direct experience with
facilities management in a community college setting,” said SDCCD Chancellor Carlos
O. Turner Cortez. “As the district looks to the future and explores its facilities
needs, Joel will play a key role in guiding the development of our 10 campuses, 5,000
employees and 100,000 students.”

Peterson is currently director of Facilities and Construction for the Glendale Community
College District in Glendale, Calif. In that role, he works with the district’s leadership
team and others to manage construction, facilities renovation and facilities services
across three campuses, including $330 million in new construction currently underway.
Prior to that, Peterson served as assistant vice president, Capital Projects and Facilities
for Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, Calif.

Peterson has also served in various roles with major corporations where he was responsible
for operations, including finance, technology, capital projects, global strategy,
and marketing. He also served as an officer in the United States Navy. During his
Navy career, he was director, Capital and Construction Programs and Physical Plant
for a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Pacific Fleet. He is also the author of an Amazon
Best Selling novel, Dreams of My Mothers.

Peterson earned a bachelor’s degree in economics/foreign affairs from the University
of Virginia, a master’s degree in business administration from Virginia Tech, and
both a master’s and doctorate in education/higher education from Claremont Graduate
University.

“I could not be more pleased to be joining Chancellor Cortez’s exceptionally talented
leadership team and a flagship community college district known for its excellence,”
stated Peterson. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to contribute toward achieving
the Board of Trustees’ and Chancellor Cortez’s vision and goals for SDCCD and its
students’ success.

Peterson will fill a vacancy created when Chris Manis, the former SDCCD vice chancellor
of Facilities Management, retired last month after eight years leading the division.
The SDCCD Board of Trustees ratified Peterson’s contract on February 24. He will begin
his assignment on April 1, 2022.

This press release was produced by San Diego Community College District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.