Mt. SAC Board of Trustees

 

Dr. Manuel Baca, Member
Area 7

Dr. Manuel Baca was first elected to the Mt. SAC Board of Trustees in 1999 and is currently Immediate Past President.  Trustee Baca represents Area 7, which covers Pomona and north Diamond Bar, where he and his wife, Gloria, reside. 

Trustee Baca's teaching and administrative experience spans the state university and community college systems of California.  He is currently a Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Rio Hondo College in Whittier.  He is also a  Higher Education Lecturer with the California State University, Los Angeles Charter School of Education Doctoral Program (EdD).

Dr. Baca served (2012-2014) as President of the California Community Colleges Board of Governors which sets policy, establishes regulations, and provides guidance for the 73 districts and 116 colleges that comprise the nation's largest public higher education system.  In addition to other state-appointed positions, he served on the California Community Colleges System Strategic Planning Steering Committee (2005) and the Student Success Task Force (2011), which led to the formulation and passage of the Student Success Act of 2012. 

As President of the CCC Board of Governors, Baca engaged in the negotiations which led to the CCC Baccalaureate Pilot Program legislative approval in 2015.  In addition, the Task Force on Workforce, Job Creation, and a Strong Economy was initiated while he was chair of the Board of Governors.  Currently, Dr. Baca is a member of the advisory committee for Wheelhouse, The Center for Community College Leadership and Research at UC Davis.  He has been a member and Past Chair of the Foundation for California Community Colleges (executive offices in Sacramento) since 2015.

Trustee Baca earned an associate degree from Rio Hondo College and was awarded his bachelor and master degrees at California State University, Fullerton.  His Doctorate (PhD) in Education was awarded by the University of California (USC) and, in addition, completed post-graduate work at UCLA. 

His volunteerism with a number of community-based agencies and professional organizations within the Los Angeles area and the San Gabriel Valley is extensive.  An active supporter and advocate for veterans, Dr. Baca served in the United States Marine Corps, earning the rank of Sergeant (E-5) and the Combat Action Ribbon, among other military awards.

(re-elected 2024)

email:  trusteemanuelbaca@mtsac.edu