Thursday, August 27, 2020

ACCT Recognizes Two California Community College Leaders with 2020 Regional Awards

SACRAMENTO, CA – The Community College League of California is proud to announce two California Community College (CCC) champions have been awarded Regional Awards by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) for outstanding leadership in their roles. ACCT's Regional Awards recognize the tremendous contributions made by community colleges and their leaders to meet the needs of their communities. This year, ACCT awarded 22 community college movers and shakers from across the nation. 

The following CCC leaders are among the 2020 honorees:

Sunita Cooke, Superintendent/President of MiraCosta College, is the recipient of ACCT’s 2020 Regional Chief Executive Officer Award for the Pacific Region. Dr. Sunita “Sunny” Cooke began her tenure as the Superintendent/President of MiraCosta Community College District in 2015 and has been a recognized California Community College CEO for 13 years. She started as a Biology/Biotechnology faculty member and has been an educator for over 25 years after receiving her Ph.D. in Biology from Georgetown University. 

Under her leadership, MiraCosta College has implemented new degrees and certificates including a unique biomanufacturing bachelor’s degree. Graduation and transfer rates have significantly improved, and the college has received recognition as an Achieving the Dream Leader College. Also, its academic and student equity programs have been recognized by the statewide Academic Senate based upon collaborative support and outcomes for historically marginalized students.

Vivian Malauulu, Trustee for Long Beach City College, is the recipient of ACCT’s 2020 Trustee Leadership Award for the Pacific Region. Vivian Malauulu is the first Latina elected to the Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees to represent Area 2 which covers all of West Long Beach and the south-central parts of the city. She is also the first board member of Polynesian descent.

A career educator, Vivian has more than 20 years of substantial experience teaching a variety of high school subjects for the Los Angeles Unified School District, as well as classes at Los Angeles Harbor College and California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH). She has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from California State University, Northridge (CSUN), a master’s degree in Educational Administration from CSUDH, and four K-14 bilingual teaching credentials. When she was elected to the College Board in April of 2016, Vivian taught Journalism part-time at Long Beach City College (LBCC) and was an active member of the Executive Boards of both the part-time Faculty Association and the Trades Advisory Council at LBCC.

“ACCT’s recognition of MiraCosta College Superintendent/President Dr. Sunita (Sunny) Cooke and Long Beach City College Trustee Vivian Malauulu honor two California Community College leaders with unwavering commitment to advance equity, student success, and institutional excellence. The Community College League of California is proud to support and advocate for such accomplished and dedicated educational leaders,” said Larry Galizio, President & CEO of the Community College League of California.

The awards will be presented during the 2020 ACCT Leadership Congress on October 8, 2020, which will be convened online this year. For a full list of the 2020 awardees, visit https://www.acct.org/article/2020-regional-acct-awardees-announced.

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The Community College League of California (League), whose vision is Quality Public Community Colleges for All Californians, is a nonprofit public benefit corporation with a voluntary membership of the 73 local community college districts in California. The League promotes student access and success by strengthening colleges through advocacy, policy development, leadership development, and district services. Visit our website at www.ccleague.org.

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