Cuesta College welcomes California Community Colleges Chancellor Dr. Jack Scott and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell to a Chancellor’s Forum on April 29 to address pivotal issues facing California’s community colleges.

The forum is open to members of the public from 11 a.m. to noon in room 5401 on the San Luis Obispo campus.

It will include an introduction from Cuesta College’s Superintendent/President Dr. Gilbert H. Stork, a message from both Dr. Scott and O’Connell and a panel discussion with the participants and Henry Ramos, member of the Community Colleges Board of Governors.

Dr. Scott is a former legislator and president of two community colleges, and has served as chancellor of the California Community Colleges since 2009. He served in the State Assembly from 1996 to 2000 before serving eight years in the Senate. Prior to elected office, he served as president of Pasadena City College and Cypress College, in addition to working as an instructor and administrator at Pepperdine University for 10 years.

O’Connell is a former high school teacher who authored legislation creating the California High School Exit Exam. Throughout his career, he has worked to improve public education and has authored numerous landmark education bills in both the Assembly and the Senate.

Ramos, a San Luis Obispo County resident, was appointed to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors for the 2009-2015 term. He is an independent consultant to U.S. Foundations and nonprofit organizations. He is also an artist, author and editor affiliated with cultural and higher educational institutions in California, Texas and New York.