On Saturday, September 22, the National Community College Hispanic Council (NCCHC)
recognized Star Rivera-Lacey, Ph.D., San Diego Continuing Education’s (SDCE) Vice
President of Student Services as an 2018 NCCHC Leadership Fellow.
NCCHC is the premiere organization for Latinx leadership development in community
colleges and is an affiliation of the American Association of Community Colleges.
The pinning ceremony took place near the University of San Diego, where Dr. Rivera-Lacey
and 24 of her colleagues from around the nation were honored for their outstanding
contributions and influence toward Latinx students.
“It is an honor to be associated with such a prestigious national organization,” said
Star Rivera-Lacey, Ph.D. “The leadership training was invaluable and I am excited
to implement the skills into my day-to-day work.”
Dr. Rivera-Lacey was appointed SDCE’s first Vice President of Student Services in
July 2016. The Latinx activist has over 20 years of progressive administrative and
leadership experience in Student Services programs.
“We are honored to have Dr. Rivera-Lacey represent SDCE. Latinx are still the most
underserved ethnic group in academia and the largest minority group in America,” stated
Carlos O. Turner Cortez, Ph.D., President of SDCE. “Under Dr. Rivera-Lacey’s leadership
SDCE implemented Caltrans VOP Veterans Back to Work program, allowing homeless veterans
to gain education and valuable work experience, and SDCE will open its first free
farmers market this fall, SDCE’s Farm to Family Fair.”
SDCE is the adult education division of the San Diego Community College District.
The District is honoring Latinx Heritage Month September 15 through October 15 with
documentaries, lectures, workshops and events that are free and open to the public.
Raised locally in Oceanside, Dr. Rivera-Lacey is proud to have started her post-secondary
education at MiraCosta community college. She received a bachelor’s degree in Liberal
Studies from California State University, San Marcos, and earned a master’s degree
in Education, with an emphasis in multicultural counseling (Community Based Block)
from San Diego State University. Dr. Rivera-Lacey also earned a Ph.D. in Education
from the San Diego State/Claremont Graduate University joint doctoral program.
Dr. Rivera-Lacey is available for interviews.
Allura Garis
