Monterey Peninsula Community College District’s (MPCCD) Governing Board has selected Dr. Marshall T. Fulbright III to become the next Superintendent/President of MPCCD. He will replace interim superintendent/president Dr. Mark J. Zacovic, who has served in that role since January 2022. The Board intends to approve an employment agreement at the next regular meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 26, 2023 with a start date to follow on or about July 1, 2023.

The selection was made following a nationwide search coordinated by Community College Search Services, which produced a strong pool of well-qualified applicants for the position. A diverse search committee of campus and community members narrowed the list of applicants down to four finalists, who presented at public forums and interviewed with the Board of Trustees on April 3 and 4.

According to Board Chair Ms. Rosalyn Green, "The Board is pleased to offer Dr. Marshall T. Fulbright III the position of Superintendent/President. Dr. Fulbright possesses the key characteristics the college and community identified as integral to this position; we believe he will inspire, unify, and lead us to a shared vision that advances the college into the future. As an equity-minded leader, sensitive to students' needs, he is both dynamic and approachable, with a deep understanding and commitment to the community college mission."

Fulbright joins MPC as the College concludes its 75th year of serving local students. Among the top priorities he will help to lead are implementation of the Measure V capital bond measure and rebuilding enrollment following decline experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first few years, Measure V entails such key projects as a $40 million expansion of the Education Center at Marina, implementing a new campuswide business software and student information system, and several key technology and infrastructure upgrade projects on the Monterey campus.

About Dr. Fulbright

Marshall T. Fulbright III, Ed.D., has more than 24 years of experience as a transformational leader in education. Currently, Dr. Fulbright serves as the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Grossmont College in El Cajon, and previously as an instructional dean at Norco College in the Riverside Community College District and College of the Sequoias in Visalia. He earned his bachelor's of music degree from Chapman University and his master's of music from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Marshall holds a doctorate in education from Azusa Pacific University, where his research focused on unconscious bias awareness training in community college hiring practices.

Dr. Fulbright's experience in the California Community College system has given him numerous opportunities to participate in and lead multiple statewide initiatives. He has been actively involved in implementing Guided Pathways, the thoughtful removal of pre-collegiate/transfer-level English and math courses, the support of diversifying the community college professoriate, the implementation of dual enrollment programs, and many other initiatives associated with the State Chancellor's Vision for Success.

“I am truly honored to be selected as the next Superintendent/President of Monterey Peninsula College. I am looking forward to collaboratively working with the Governing Board, the faculty, the classified professionals, the students, and the community to support the college’s mission of being equitable, inclusive, respectful, and supportive,” stated Dr. Fulbright. “MPC has a bright future, and I can’t wait to join its existing team on this exciting journey.”

Dr. Fulbright's commitment to the California Community College's mission and student-centeredness remains at the core of his educational values and continues to influence his current decision-making processes. He is currently a California Community College Curriculum Committee (5C) member as a Chief Instructional Officer representative. He was also selected to serve on the 5C diversity, equity, and inclusion workgroup, which recently resulted in the release of suggestions and guidelines for including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices into the curriculum.