The CSSO/CIO (Chief Student Services Officers/Chief Instructional Officers) Leadership Institute, which is sponsored by the California Community College Chief Student Services Officers Association and the California Chief instruction officers Association, was begun a number of years ago to address the need to develop leaders for the community college system. A maximum of twenty-four “rising stars” from various community colleges across the state are invited to take part each year. The Institute provides an exciting opportunity for participants to share ideas, engage in critical discourse, and learn from each other while preparing to meet the challenges facing the profession. Past participants have commented that they came away from the Institute with practical strategies and insight for dealing with various challenges. It also served as a great tool for networking with rising leaders at various community colleges across California.

The 2006 Leadership Institute was held November 29 - December 1 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Irvine, California. Individuals were nominated by their college’s Vice President for Student Services and/or Vice President for Instruction and were chosen for the institute based on their potential for future leadership in the California Community Colleges. The select group of participants in this year’s Institute totaled 20 in number and represented 16 different colleges from southern, central and northern California.
 
This year’s roster of participants was a rich combination of talented future leaders from student services, instruction, institutional research, college foundations and the Chancellor’s Office. The institute was co-facilitated by Dr. Bob Bell, Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer, Chaffey College; Dr. Michael Wilding, Vice President for Student Services, College of the Canyons; Dr. Monte Perez, Vice President for Student Services, Golden West College; and Karen Sanders, Assistant Dean, Student Services, Chaffey College.

Planning has already begun for the 2007! Watch for information in early summer for the 2007 CSSO/CIO Leadership Institute.

About the Author

Robert H. Bell, Ed.D.
Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
Chaffey College, Chino Campus

Dr. Bob Bell serves as Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Chaffey College. Prior to his current position he served as VicePresident for Student Services at Chaffey College for three years. Dr. Bell holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science and a Masters of Arts degree in Counseling from the University of Redlands. He earned his Doctorate of Education degree in Educational Administration from the University of the Pacific.

Dr. Bell has held numerous positions in higher education. He was Vice President for Student Services for four years at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, Washington. In addition, he was Dean of Students at Mt. San Jacinto College, Administrative Dean of Admissions and Records at Cerritos College, Associate Dean of Student Life at the University of Southern California, and Associate Dean of Students at Harvey Mudd College.
Dr. Bell has served as a member of the Executive Board of the CCCCSSOA. He is active in the community as a member of the Board of Directors of several organizations including the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce, Spanish Trails Girls Scouts Council, and the Chino Valley YMCA.

Contact via: Eva Rameriz, Executive Assistant to the Vice president and Chief Administrative Officer, eva.ramirez@chaffey.edu.