With much pride and excitement, I assumed the role as the new chancellor of Yuba Community College District on June 15.

Knowing that my appointment by the Yuba College District Board of Trustees in April this year came after almost two years of search, I feel even more intensely the honor as well as the weight of the position.

I thank the members of the board and the broad communities for their trust and confidence in me to lead an expansive rural district that comes with a unique set of opportunities and challenges.

I was attracted to this leadership opportunity at YCCD because it has a long history of supporting and improving educational attainment and economic development of its diverse communities. I am inspired by the commitment to educational excellence, collaborative problem solving, and innovation from the faculty and staff.

Those are values that resonate deeply with those of mine, and I am inspired to lead, in the coming months and years, by inclusive and equitable leadership, intentional collaboration, and shared commitment to excellence in every aspect of YCCD’s operations.

In joining the YCCD and the north Central California communities, I bring a diverse set of administrative experiences, track records, and skills from having held leadership positions at six different community college districts, both rural and urban.

The common thread across all these institutions has been my deep and lasting passion for advocating and ensuring student success. In an era of accelerating changes, YCCD has an obligation to ensure that equitable access and affordability to quality higher education always remain front and center across our communities within the eight counties it serves.

Under the direction of our seven elected trustees, in partnership with our talented and dedicated faculty and staff, my leadership team and I will remain committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our work; we will seek opportunities to strengthen existing and foster new partnerships with business, educational, governmental, and civic organizations; we will develop niche educational and workforce training programs that are responsive and relevant to the needs of local economy.

YCCD is founded to serve the communities. The quality and reputation of its education and training is built not only by those who teach, learn, and contribute daily on our college campuses, but also by the support of friends, supporters, and community partners year after year. Together, we can and will make YCCD more student ready, community ready, and future ready. We all have a stake in its future.

I am thrilled to join YCCD and the communities it serves. In the coming weeks and months, I look forward to meeting and establishing meaningful connections with both faculty, staff, and students on college campuses but also with friends and stakeholders in the community. I look forward to launching YCCD to new heights with all of you.

Dr. Shouan Pan was hired as chancellor of Yuba Community College District in April 2023.