(Glendale, CA) - The Glendale Community College Board of Trustees has named Dr. Ryan Cornner the district’s next superintendent/president following an exhaustive five-month search process.
Dr. Cornner currently serves as Vice Chancellor, Educational Programs & Institutional Effectiveness for the nine college Los Angeles Community College District, the largest community college district in the nation.
Dr. Cornner earned his Doctor of Education and Master of Social Work at the University of Southern California. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from UC San Diego.
A native of Southern California, Dr. Cornner began his career in social work in the early 2000’s driven by a desire for social justice and a commitment to improve the lives of individuals, families and the community. While teaching as an adjunct instructor at a community college, he was immediately drawn to the community college system and appreciated the connection with the college mission and the values that drew him to social work.
“I was able to witness the individual impact on students in the classroom and recognize the broader impact of the institution,” said Dr, Cornner. “It was clear that community colleges are the best means to combat generational poverty and to have a socioeconomic impact on the community. So, I shifted to a career focused on improving the lives of students and creating institutional change to best serve the needs of the community.”
Dr. Cornner’s journey through academia has included more than twelve years teaching in the community college and university systems and more than a decade of administrative experience where he demonstrated an ability to work closely with campus constituents to implement programs and processes with a commitment to setting goals and deploying strategies to achieve them.
While serving as Dean of Institutional Effectiveness at East Los Angeles College, Dr. Cornner led the college’s efforts to develop a Strategic, Educational, Facilities, and Technology Master Plan. During his role as Associate Vice President, Strategic Planning and Innovation at Pasadena City College, he collaborated closely with faculty and staff to design an integrated planning and resource allocation process.
Dr. Cornner’s roots in social work, his commitment to equity, and ability to build relationships has been instrumental to his collaborative successes at LACCD. Over the last six years at the nine-college district, Dr. Cornner has worked on several initiatives to increase student access to college and ensure their success. These include community partnerships to develop the LA College Promise Program for free tuition, Dual Enrollment agreements with several school districts including LAUSD and Burbank Unified School District, and multiple student-centered programs to address enrollment, completion rates, student basic needs, and accreditation. Most recently, during the pandemic, he oversaw the creation of a recovery plan for the safe return to in-person classes.
Glendale Community College Office of the Superintendent/President Contact: Dr. David Viar 818-240-1000 Ext. 5105
“Dr. Cornner was a remarkable candidate who demonstrated a deep understanding of the challenges facing community colleges with a proven record at both the campus and multi-district level,” said Board President Dr. Armine Hacopian. “Even more inspiring was his commitment to ensuring all people have equitable access to education and his willingness to work with others to set and achieve the goals that are the foundation of the community college system.”
“I am humbled and honored to be chosen to lead this institution,” said Dr. Cornner. “I was well aware of GCC’s proud tradition of excellence and service to the community before I began this process and my respect has grown even deeper as I interacted with so many impressive people who I now get to call colleagues. My core leadership philosophy focuses on building a sense of shared community and values, which is essential to building an institutional culture that promotes collegiality, inclusion, innovation, and success. I look forward to engaging leaders throughout the college, as we work together to build on the college’s tradition and set the standard for excellence in meeting student needs.”
The Board began the search for a new superintendent/president in November after current superintendent/ president Dr. David Viar announced he would be retiring in June 2022 following nine years leading GCC and 45 years working in higher education on the local, state and national level.
“There was an exceptional group of candidates vying for this coveted spot to lead one of the most prestigious community colleges in the state,” said Dr. Viar. “It is a testament to Dr. Cornner and his abilities that the board selected him to continue GCC’s nearly one-hundred-year legacy. I wish him great success.”
Dr. Cornner comes from a family of educators who have served students in the community college and K-12 setting throughout the Los Angeles region. His immediate family includes his wife Lindsey, a Glendale native, and his children Samantha and Parker. “We are thrilled to be joining the Glendale community and ensuring that we serve the next generation with the same level of dedication and academic distinction that GCC has been known for,” said Dr. Cornner.
The trustees are scheduled to approve Dr. Cornner’s contract during their next board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 19, 2022. The new superintendent/president will assume the new duties on July 1, 2022.
