New L.A. community college Chancellor Alberto J. Román pledges 'culture of accountability'

Alberto J. Román, the interim chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District who assumed the post amid the system's yearslong reckoning with legal troubles, was appointed to the permanent role Wednesday by the district's Board of Trustees.
Román, who pledged a "culture of accountability," had been named interim chancellor after Francisco C. Rodriguez abruptly resigned last year, shocking critics and champions alike.
During Rodriguez's decade at the helm, the nine-college district faced lawsuits alleging gender discrimination, sexual harassment and whistleblower retaliation, among other claims. He and the trustees endured a vote of no confidence from the district's Academic Senate in 2024 that centered on what it described as a failure to sufficiently address sexual harassment and discrimination claims, among other concerns.
Read more: L.A. community college district chancellor to step down amid faculty tensions, lawsuits
Román, 47, who has worked for the nation's largest two-year college system in various roles spanning more than 11 years, was given a roughly three-year contract, which takes effect immediately and pays $440,000 annually. A former president of East L.A. College, he also previously served as the vice chancellor of human resources for the community college district.
"We pride ourselves on being leaders and identifying and combating any type of discrimination," Román said in an interview with The Times. "I've also emphasized the importance of transparency, of trust building, both internally and with the broader public."
A Mexican immigrant who came to the U.S. as a child, Román oversaw the creation of East L.A. College's pioneering Central American studies program, which launched in 2023. It has been billed as the first such endeavor in California at the community college level and affords students the chance to earn an associate degree in the field.
"It was truly, for me, a very important program to have here in Los Angeles," said Román, who has worked in education for more than two decades. He said a trip to El Salvador with faculty had inspired him to create the program. "I really grew an interest in learning more about our Central American community here."
Just a year ago, Román had praised Rodriguez in an open letter for his "transformative decade of service, leadership, and vision."
But the end of the former chancellor's tenure had been rocky.
Read more: Six years, a trial, and a firing. But no end to a professor's sexual harassment fight
In August, Rodriguez said that he would step down to help care for his ailing father. The move was a major surprise, in part because the district had given him a four-year contract extension a year earlier. Rodriguez departed Nov. 2, with Román subsequently assuming the interim position.
Rodriguez did not respond to interview requests.
Among the lawsuits Rodriguez and the district have faced is an ongoing one filed by former general counsel Maribel Medina over allegations of sexual harassment, whistleblower retaliation and other claims.
She alleged in a 2024 L.A. Superior Court suit brought against Rodriguez, the district and a trustee that she was placed on leave — and then fired — after complaining to the then-chancellor about disparities in her salary, and bringing to his attention the "evident lack of compliance at the District with sexual harassment training."
Medina, who is Mexican American, also alleged in the complaint that Rodriguez once said in her presence, "Mexican women serve me and they like it."
The defendants have denied the allegations, according to court filings. Their attorneys did not respond to interview requests. Medina's attorney declined to comment.
A trial in the case is set for January.
Asked about some of the controversies that the former chancellor weathered, Román said that in a system as large as the college district — it has a workforce of nearly 10,000 people — "issues will invariably arise," and that he could not discuss ongoing litigation.
He also stressed that the district was "actively working" to make sure policies related to professional conduct are updated. He added employees would be trained on an ongoing basis so they understand the revised codes and guidelines.
Another area of scrutiny has been the district's multibillion-dollar construction bond program. Since the early 2010s, it has been dogged by allegations that it was poorly managed, wasted money and was subject to nepotism.
Román insisted that the program has been overhauled, touting "more rigorous accountability measures," and improved "vendor selection processes," while noting the hiring this year of an independent, third-party bond monitor, Affiliated Monitors.
"The issues that were identified about 10 years ago have been resolved," he said. "I think a program of this size will undoubtedly have flare-ups, but we have managed those."
Román faces other challenges, among them the ongoing recovery from a massive drop in enrollment tirggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The district said it had about 210,000 students for the 2019-2020 school year — but enrollment plunged to 158,000 for the 2021-2022 year. It picked up from there and stood at 194,000 students in 2023-2024.
He touted the upward trend and said the district, as a whole, hadn't seen a decline in enrollment over the last four years. He attributed the success, in part, to an emphasis on career technical education, which he said could be helpful as the region prepares to host both the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Then, there's President Trump. His executive orders on higher education, the launching of investigations into antisemitism on university campuses and the deportation of college students have roiled academia at large.
So far, Román said, the president's various actions have not directly affected the college district. He said that, to his knowledge, no students in the district have been deported and none of its funding has been eliminated — though a roughly $500,000 arts-related grant has been "placed on hold."
"We will continue to monitor our funding and do everything we can to protect it," he said. "We will continue to monitor policies that could impact our students. We stand firm with them."
Román also said that no programs had been altered to comply with Trump's directives aimed at rooting out diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on college campuses. "Our programs ... [are] inclusive of all students," he said. "That's in essence how we are able to continue the work that we need to do."
In a statement, Gabriel Buelna, a member of the Board of Trustees, noted that Román was taking over "at a time of intense national pressure."
He said the chancellor had "exceptional credentials, proven talent, and the vision and integrity needed to lead LACCD through challenging times and strengthen our region."
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Fox News

10 minutes ago

• Fox News

They want Americans dead, too — the threat from Iran and its proxies

Print Close By David Zimmermann Published June 22, 2025 Israel's recent preemptive strikes and ongoing military campaign against Iran have captured global headlines as the country endeavors to neutralize the Iranian regime's offensive military and nuclear weapons capability. Just hours ago, Israel's efforts to halt Iran's nuclear ambitions were significantly enhanced by U.S.-delivered bunker buster bombs and Tomahawk missiles that struck three Iranian nuclear facilities. Americans must understand these military actions directly enhance U.S. national security as they weaken the numerous Iranian-supported Islamist extremist terrorist groups that threaten Americans at home and abroad. Operation Rising Lion, initiated by Israel on June 13, 2025, has targeted multiple nuclear facilities, nuclear scientists, military infrastructure, and military leadership across Iran. Iran's radical Islamist regime has, time after time, publicly stated its desire – even promise – to "wipe Israel off the map." Operation Rising Lion, with the recent addition of American military power, will hopefully eliminate Iran's ability to keep such a promise, while at the same time preventing Iran from threatening the existence of neighboring Sunni Arab states and Western countries, including the U.S., with nuclear weapons. HEGSETH, MILITARY BRASS DESCRIBE 'INCREDIBLE AND OVERWHELMING SUCCESS' OF US STRIKES ON IRAN Iran is currently the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism, and it funds, trains, and arms terrorist groups including Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and various U.S.-designated Shia militia operating in Iraq. Preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons prevents these proxies from having access to such destructive power as well – whether from a true nuclear bomb or a "dirty" bomb. Hamas, designated by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) in 1997, drafted a written charter in 1988 that declares all Jews are targets for killing. On October 7, 2023, Hamas' devastating terror attack on Israel murdered 45 Americans (amongst 1200 total victims) while 12 Americans were among the 251 who were kidnapped. Is there any doubt that if Hamas were to obtain the destructive power of a nuclear device they would use it to carry out their sworn objective? For Americans who think Hamas is a foreign threat only, please know that Hamas has been in the U.S. for decades. Internal Hamas documents and FBI wiretaps, introduced as evidence in various U.S. federal criminal cases within the past 20 years, demonstrate the existence of a nationwide Hamas network engaged in fundraising, lobbying, education and propaganda dissemination dating back to the 1980s. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Hezbollah, also designated by the U.S. as an FTO in 1997, has its own "Open Letter" that was written in 1985. Within this Letter, Hezbollah states one of its objectives is Israel's obliteration. Additionally, the Letter states, "We are moving in the direction of fighting the roots of vice and the first root of vice is America." Prior to Al Qaeda's attack on the U.S. in 2001, Hezbollah was responsible for more U.S. terrorism casualties than any other Islamist extremist terrorist group. In November 2023, then-FBI Director Chris Wray testified to Congress that Hezbollah has sought to buy weaponry, seed operatives, and raise funds in America. Even though Israel has weakened Hezbollah over the past 12 months, the terror organization still exists and remains a global threat. Again, is there any doubt that if Hezbollah were to obtain nuclear weapons capability, they would use it to carry out a new form of terror against Israel, the U.S., Jews and Americans across the globe? The Houthis (Ansar Allah), first designated as an FTO by the U.S. in 2021 and re-designated in 2025 after the initial designation was revoked, have an official slogan: "Allahu Akbar. Death to America. Death to Israel. Curse on the Jews. Victory to Islam." Since October 2023, the Houthis have been launching missile and drone attacks not only on Israeli civilians, but on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea believed by the Houthis to be connected to Israel, the U.S., or Western allies. Once more, the same question can be asked – and easily answered – about whether the Houthis would use the destructive power of a nuclear weapon if the Iranian regime were to give them this capability. SIGN UP FOR ANTISEMITISM EXPOSED NEWSLETTER Finally, many Americans do not realize the Iranian regime has exported terror directly to U.S. shores already. In recent years, as per Department of Justice records, the Iranian regime has sponsored murder-for-hire plots – within U.S. borders – designed to assassinate former senior U.S. leaders Mike Pompeo and John Bolton, a Saudi Ambassador to the U.S., Iranian dissidents who escaped Iran and currently live in the U.S. (such as Iranian American journalist Masih Alinejad), and even President Donald Trump himself. There are other examples of such plots, and all of these plots were disrupted by the phenomenal work of my FBI colleagues and numerous other partners. My point is Iran is not simply a distant threat in a far-off foreign land: Iran has targeted Americans on U.S. soil. A weakened – or, better yet, a fallen – Iranian regime without nuclear weapons would prevent its Islamist terrorist proxies from acquiring an unimaginable destructive power that threatens not only Israel, but the U.S. as well. Disrupting Iran's nuclear ambitions would also cripple its own ability to threaten Americans on U.S. soil. Ultimately, preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons will not only make Israel safer, but it will also make the U.S. – and the world – safer. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Print Close URL

Yahoo

11 minutes ago

• Yahoo

Mitch McConnell weighs in on U.S. strikes in Iran

HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) – Indiana Governor Mike Braun and Senator Todd Young gave their thoughts on the U.S. strikes in Iran, and now, Senator Mitch McConnell has given his thoughts. McConnell 'commends' President Donald Trump for using 'decisive action' and standing with Israel. His full statement can be read below. 'Israel's bold response to the war thrust upon it by Iran's proxies has created a unique opportunity to cripple Iran's nuclear ambitions and strike a lasting blow to its hegemonic aggression. Seizing this opportunity is not an escalation toward war — it is a prudent response to the warmongers in Tehran. Iran would be foolish to misunderstand American resolve. I commend the President for authorizing decisive action and all U.S. servicemembers responsible for carrying it out. The United States' interest in denying Iran a nuclear weapon, in standing with our ally, Israel, and in reestablishing credible deterrent power is undeniable and urgent.' Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Wall Street Journal

13 minutes ago

• Wall Street Journal

WSJ Opinion: Isolationists vs. Interventionists, GOP Split on Iran

From the award-winning opinion pages of The Wall Street Journal, the Journal Editorial Report sees columnists and members of the Journal Editorial Board debate the major economic, political and cultural issues of the day. From the policy debates to the political fights, each week get critical perspective and the analysis you need on developments from Washington.