Riverside Community College District names deputy chancellor Star Rivera-Lacey its next chancellor

The Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees has selected Star Rivera-Lacey, the district's deputy chancellor and provost, as its next chancellor, the district announced Oct. 21.

The selection is effective Jan. 1, 2027, according to the announcement. Rivera-Lacey will succeed Chancellor Wolde-Ab Isaac, who is retiring.

The district's three colleges are Riverside City College, Moreno Valley College and Norco College, according to its announcements.

Background

Rivera-Lacey joined the district in December 2025, the district said. Before that, she was superintendent/president of the Palomar Community College District.

The announcement said she has worked in California community colleges for more than 25 years. Her earlier posts include positions at San Diego Mesa College, San Diego Miramar College, San Diego City College and San Diego College of Continuing Education, according to the district.

The district said she was the first in her family to graduate from college, is the daughter of Salvadoran immigrants and began her own studies at MiraCosta College.

Her degrees include an education doctorate earned at Claremont Graduate University, a liberal studies bachelor's earned at California State University, San Marcos, and an education master's earned at San Diego State University, the announcement said.

The district said her fellowships include UC Davis' Wheelhouse program and the Aspen Rising Presidential Fellowship.

Search and transition

The selection followed a national search conducted with the assistance of the Association of Community College Trustees, according to the district.

"Dr. Rivera-Lacey brings a strong combination of experience, vision, and a deep commitment to student success," board President Jose Alcala said in the announcement.

Rivera-Lacey said in the announcement that her focus "will be on listening, strengthening collaboration, and ensuring that every student has the opportunity and support needed to achieve their educational and career goals."

The district said she plans to tour its colleges and district sites during the transition and hold listening sessions for students, faculty, classified staff, administrators and community members. It said details on those sessions would be announced later.

Outgoing chancellor

Isaac came to the district in 2006 to serve as Moreno Valley College's dean of health sciences and became chancellor in 2018, the district said in an Oct. 16 article. He was the district's first Black chancellor, according to that article.

The district honored Isaac at an Oct. 15 retirement celebration at the Riverside Convention Center, where it also marked the start of the Wolde-Ab Isaac Endowed STEM Scholarship Fund.

Marion and Mary Ashley gave $100,000 to start the fund, as did Iddo and Iveline Benzeevi, according to the district.