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The Coast Community College District Board of Trustees has selected Folsom Lake College President Whitney Yamamura as the district’s next chancellor, starting September 1. Dr. Yamamura will follow Dr. John Weispfenning, who is retiring as chancellor after a 30-year career in higher education. The announcement was made at the Board meeting of Wednesday, June 15.
“The Coast District has benefitted greatly from the strong and inclusive leadership of Chancellor Weispfenning,” said Board President Mary Hornbuckle. “As chancellor, Dr. Yamamura will continue this tradition of excellent participatory leadership, empowering our colleges as they enhance success for all our communities.”
Dr. Yamamura began as the third president of Folsom Lake College in July of 2017. The presidency culminated a career in Los Rios Community College District which began in 1989. The district, including the greater Sacramento region and surrounding areas, serves a diverse population of nearly 70,000 students from both urban and rural communities. Within the district, President Yamamura previously served as teaching intern, part-time faculty, full-time tenured faculty, dean, vice president, and interim president.
As a fourth-generation Japanese-American and Californian, Dr. Yamamura has deep roots in the history of the state. He is the grandson and great-grandson of farmers and farmworkers. His father’s family was interned in California during WWII, while his mother was interned in Arkansas. Dr. Yamamura’s father later taught in the Elk Grove, California, K-12 district for more than 30 years.
“My family taught me that education gives us the power to correct injustices while creating opportunities to better ourselves and our communities,” said President Yamamura. “I am grateful to the trustees and communities of the Coast District for this opportunity to lead and serve alongside you in the great work of education.”
Dr. Yamamura holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, finance concentration, and a Master’s of Arts in Economics, both from CSU Sacramento. He earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership from UC Davis.
