HarborTides

Posted in: News on 5/20/10 at 2:42 PM PST

Media Credit: courtesy of LACCD New LAHC President Marvin Martinez

Marvin Martinez is the new president of Los Angeles Harbor College. He takes over in July.

Martinez, who has been serving as Vice Chancellor of Economic and Workforce Development for the Los Angeles Community College District since 2008, joins new LACCD Chancellor, Daniel LaVista, as the newest additions to the nation's largest community college district. LaVista was hired April 16.

Martinez replaces the retiring Linda M. Spink, who has been Harbor's president since 2000. A spokesperson in his office said he was in meetings and not immediately available for comment.

Before joining the LACCD, Martinez served as Vice-President of Planning and Development for the Santa Monica Community College District where he was responsible for providing administrative leadership over Workforce and Economic Development, Contract Education, Government Affairs, and the Small Business Development Center. He also has served as a Provost along with Associate Vice-President of Planning and Development and Dean of Business and Industry at SMC.
He has also worked for the Cerritos Community College District as the Director of Economic Development.

"Martinez's leadership abilities and knowledge of the changing workplace will be an invaluable asset to the more than 9,400 students at Harbor College,'' said Mona Field, President of the LACCD Board of Trustees, in a district press release.

Martinez, 46, earned his Master of Arts in urban planning from the University of California, Los Angeles. He also earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from UCLA.

"Harbor College has had a long tradition of providing students with educational programs that create and build partnerships with local business, community, and civic organizations. I look forward to continuing this effort," Martinez said.

LaVista said in a press release that Martinez will be a good fit at his new workplace.

"Mr. Martinez is an excellent choice to guide Harbor College's next stage of growth and development," LaVista said. "His deep knowledge and experience of the connections between academics, student success and economic/workforce development will be of much use to him in his new role. I look forward to working with him in advancing the goals of the college and the district."

Martinez and Spink will spend the month of July working together before Spink hangs it up.

"I have known and worked with Marvin since he joined the district 2 1/2 years ago and have to tell you how impressed I have been with both his working style and his accomplishments," Spink said in an email to faculty and staff Thursday. "Marvin will make an excellent leader for the college."

Martinez faces several challenges at Harbor, including $470 million in ongoing construction projects, the need to raise additional funding from a community that has been hard-hit by the recession and angst among students and staff over class cuts and the state budget crisis.

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