Vice President of Student Services, Dr. Ricky Shabazz.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA (September 19, 2016) – Dr. Ricky Shabazz, Vice President of Student Services of San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) was named one of 15 fellows with the Thomas Lakin Institute for Mentored Leadership (Lakin Institute). The Presidents’ Round Table (PRT), a national association dedicated to supporting African American leaders and students in community colleges, presents the Lakin Institute annually.

Dr. Shabazz, a resident of Rialto, California, is responsible for overseeing student success and student equity initiatives at Valley College. Dr. Shabazz has a doctorate in educational leadership and a master’s degree in educational administration from CSU San Bernardino. Dr. Shabazz provides leadership to offices and programs such as Admissions and Records, Assessment, Enrollment Management, Student Equity, Counseling, Financial Aid, Outreach, Student Development and Student Discipline, Student Government, EOPS/CARE, CalWORKs, Disabled Student Services, Federal TRIO programs, Foster Care Education Programs, First Year Experience, the Transfer Center, and Graduation. 

 As the former Dean of Student Services at El Camino College Compton Center, Dr. Shabazz provided leadership for enrollment management and all of Compton Center’s student services programs. Under his leadership, Compton Center’s image greatly improved in the community and enrolled grew from 6,700 students in 2006/07 to approximately 14,000 students in 2012/13. During the 2012/13 academic year, Compton Center graduated and transferred the most students in the school’s history. 

 "The 2016 Lakin Cohort is an outstanding group of leaders who will deeply benefit from this experience,” said Dr. Kirk A Nooks, Dean of the Thomas Lakin Institute for Mentored Leadership. “With the complex leadership challenges we are experiencing now, and in the future, this group will be able to demonstrate that community colleges are in good hands."

 Hosted this year in St. Paul, Minnesota by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the Lakin Institute seeks African-American participants whose experience and credentials indicate they are ready to attain the highest academic positions.  The program is an opportunity for open dialogue with chancellors, presidents, and CEOs.  It covers all aspects of academic leadership.

 “The Thomas L. Lakin Institute experience has helped over 100 community college professionals who aspired to executive leadership to reach their goals, including serving as presidents nationwide,” said Charlene Newkirk, South Campus President of the Community College of Allegheny County, and President of PRT. “The Presidents’ Round Table is committed to growing the talent pipeline for serving our communities with capable and committed leadership.”

 More than 200 participants have attended the Lakin Institute since its inception in 1994. The Lakin Institute has the highest graduate placement rate of any leadership institute in the United States.  One of three participants become a college chancellor, president or CEO.  It is named in honor of Dr. Thomas Lakin, a former Chancellor of the Ventura County (CA) Community College District.