Peralta Community College District's Only Student-Run Publication
Peralta Community College District's only student-run publication.

The Citizen

Peralta Community College District's only student-run publication.

The Citizen

Peralta Community College District's only student-run publication.

The Citizen

(Graphic: Desmond Meagley/The Citizen)
Sunshine Week 2024: Spotlighting public records
A multi-year investigation into public records related to campus security, public funds, and more
Li Khan, Editor in Chief • March 17, 2024
Read Story
In this monthly column, I chat with folks from the Peralta community and ask ten questions aiming to make everyone more relatable to each other. (Graphic by Randi Cross/The Citizen)
Tea with Tamara: Drew Burgess, art faculty at College of Alameda
Tamara Copes, Columnist • February 21, 2024
Read Story
Archives

    Chancellor applies for new position

    Jowel C. Laguerre is one of top three candidates for N.J. college

    By Brian Howey

    Peralta Chancellor Jowel C. Laguerre has applied for the job of president at Hudson County Community College in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo courtesy PCCD)

    The PCCD may soon have another vacancy to fill.

    Peralta Chancellor Jowel C. Laguerre is one of three finalists for the position of president of the Hudson County Community College (HCCC), located in Jersey City, New Jersey

    According to its website, HCCC began its search for a new president in January. The application deadline was Feb. 28.

    Chancellor Laguerre declined to say when he submitted his application for the position, saying that it was “not a relevant question.”

    Representatives of HCCC didn’t reply to requests for comment.

    In an email to the Tower, Laguerre discussed his process for deciding on HCCC.

    “A recruiter from Hudson reached out to me and encouraged me to express an interest in the job,” Laguerre wrote. He went on to imply he had visited the campus at some point and was “impressed” by the community he encountered there.

    But the chancellor was adamant that he was not abandoning the Peralta community.

    “I will always maintain close ties with PCCD beyond my employment with the District,” he said. “With this exciting work ahead of us, there is no place to abandon Peralta or cut ties with an institution that so deserves my time and attention and everyone’s commitment.”

    Peralta Federation of Teachers President Jennifer Shanoski found the chancellor’s job prospects underwhelming. She said it was “shocking” that the chancellor would search for another job after receiving a three- year extension to his contract in the fall of 2017.

    “The reason for the contract extension was to keep him here,” she said.

    His new contract, now extended to 2020, will terminate if he accepts the new position at HCCC. News of the chancellor’s application spread quickly via faculty emails.

    “I don’t know anyone that’s not surprised — that’s problematic,” Shanoski said.

    The chancellor released a “C-Direct” newsletter on April 18 to address rumors surrounding his potential move. In the newsletter he reiterated, often verbatim, his responses to Tower interview questions.

    Though he may be leaving soon, the chancellor said he would have a “permanent place in my heart for Peralta regardless of what I do in the future.”

    He focused the remainder of the 13-page C-Direct on the progress made at the Peralta colleges during his tenure.

    “Our recent work to identify the needs of the district in a comprehensive way is a promising step toward transforming Peralta,” the chancellor wrote.

    Presumably referring to the Tower’s questions, the chancellor mentioned in the newsletter that he had been asked when he would part ways with the district if he took the job.

    “I will never part ways with the Peralta Community College District, was my succinct answer,” Laguerre wrote.

    The HCCC presidential search advisory committee is expected to conduct interviews of the three shortlisted candidates and announce their final pick for president in April.


    Brian Howey is a writer and co-editor in chief for the Laney Tower

    About the Contributor
    Wen Li, Staff Writer
    Wen W. Li a returning student at Laney College. He was born in China and grew up in Oakland, California. He speaks three languages: Cantonese, Japanese, and English. His favorite sport is real football (soccer), and he also loves most Japanese foods and J-pop culture. Li is currently a reporter for Laney Tower, and he is always passionate about writing and reading. Although he is interested in education and social issues right now, he also wants to report about digital entertainment and scientific study. Li always has a high interest in child development, health psychology, and clinical psychology because he wants to know how the environment can influence one’s personality. His dream is to work for scientific journal publications or work as an international correspondent that travels around the world.
    Leave a Comment
    Donate to The Citizen
    $0
    $500
    Contributed
    Our Goal

    Comments (0)

    All Sort: Newest

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *