Chancellor

On behalf of our students, faculty, staff, and members of the Governing Board, I welcome you to Yuba Community College District (YCCD).

For over 97 years, YCCD has been a powerful force for education and training for diverse communities across eight counties and nearly 4,200 square miles of territory in rural, north-central California. Its two colleges, Yuba College and Woodland Community College, offer degrees, certificates, and transfer curricula at college campuses in Marysville, Woodland, Clearlake, and educational centers in Yuba City and Williams.

Across our District, we strive to make a difference in the lives of our students and in the communities we serve. Our faculty and staff focus on providing the highest quality education and training that enable our students to fully realize their potential and achieve their personal and professional goals. We deliver this promise by offering a comprehensive set of academic programs, responsive student support services, low tuition, financial assistance, small class sizes, and in-person, online, and hybrid modes of instruction.

The education landscape is undergoing rapid changes, and YCCD is at the forefront of this transformation. We endeavor to provide our students with the knowledge and skills for today’s jobs and prepare them for success in tomorrow's labor markets. Whether you aim to transfer to a four-year university, prepare for a specific job, or explore a new career path, YCCD is here to help you achieve that goal.

YCCD’s curricula and educational programs continue to evolve to stay relevant to the expectations of our students and the needs of our communities. We will, however, remain steadfast to our mission and purpose: achieving educational equity, disrupting poverty, and driving economic and social mobility.

YCCD is an open, diverse, and vibrant learning community where all students belong, regardless of their background, ethnicity, national origin, or goals. Our talented faculty and dedicated staff have helped thousands of students achieve their dreams since 1927 and we will help current and prospective students succeed in the new economy.

Dr. Pan comes to YCCD from Washington State, where he served as chancellor of the Seattle Community Colleges. Over the last six years in this role, Dr. Pan led the integration of Human Resource, IT, Web services, International Education, eLearning, and corporate training and initiated the Seattle Promise program that is recognized locally and nationally as a model of equitable student success. Under his leadership, the Seattle Colleges Foundation raised a record amount of funds in support of students and Equity Diversity and Inclusion priorities. In concert with community and corporate partners, the Seattle Community Colleges initiated five non-credit micro-pathway programs, new associate degrees in Fire Sciences, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science.

Before leading the Seattle Community Colleges as chancellor, Dr. Pan served as president of Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona. His other executive roles have included: provost of Broward College-South Campus, executive dean of Instruction and Student Services at Florida State College at Jacksonville, dean of Student Life at Community College of Philadelphia, and assistant professor of Educational Psychology, and Recruitment and Retention Administrator at Northern Arizona University.

Dr. Pan centers his leadership and management practices on fulfilling the community college mission and promoting student and community success. He places emphasis on working with the Board of Trustees, institutional and community stakeholders in formulating a common vision and building consensus on strategic and operational decisions. His professional success is evidenced in his strong track record of improving student success; building collaborative partnerships with educational institutions, businesses, and civic organizations to further institutional goals and community economic development; and securing external resources.

He has also been actively engaged in higher education at local, state, and national levels, including membership in the American Association of Community Colleges, and Association of Community College Trustees. In addition, he has served on the boards of the National Asian Pacific Islander Council, Campus Compact, Chair Academy, and Economic Development Council of Seattle and King County. He received several honors and awards, including the Award by the League for Innovation in the Community College, Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction by the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, and Veora E. Johnson Spirit of Unity MLK Award by the Mesa MLK Jr. Celebration Committee.

Born and raised in Mainland China, Dr. Pan immigrated to the United States in 1985. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education from Iowa State University, a Master of Education in College Student Personnel from Colorado State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Hefei Polytechnic University, RP China.