Thank you to all who joined us in-person or online for the Forums for the Executive Vice President Finalists. Below are the finalists for the three newly created positions of Executive Vice President of Student Learning & Success for the Peralta Community College District. The finalists are listed in the order of their Forums, which took place on Monday, May 18, and Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Each finalist listing includes their name, a brief bio, a link to their Forum video recording, and a link to the feedback form. Please submit your feedback by 5pm on Friday, May 22, 2026.
Dr. Lisa Wilkins
Forum: Monday, May 18, 2026, at 9:30am
Zoom Recording: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/7AgKqfmY-Oj2JlkxLH-wcy7rQUMiHMHbfc1H6En3uyA2baNoTR1vUCLmSGyg4M5a.8sc28cMp89dEWV7H
Feedback Form: https://share-na2.hsforms.com/1q8h1IkdnR2O-TCdVhRNBQQ3t549
Dr. Lisa Cooper Wilkins has cultivated a distinguished career of service emphasizing access, equity, inclusion, belonging, and student success. With 25+ years of higher education leadership experience, she served in roles spanning faculty, counselor, department chair, dean, and executive-level administration at two- and four-year, public, and private institutions across the U.S.; most recently appointed as Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs at City College of San Francisco in 2020.
On multiple occasions, Dr. Cooper Wilkins served as a Peer Reviewer for the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) and as a Partnership Resource Team member for several CCCCO Institutional Effectiveness Partnership Initiative visits. At present, she is President of the Umoja Community Education Foundation Board and is a member of the 3C2A Board. Her honors include the 2024 NASPA Scott Goodnight Award, the 2018 San Joaquin Pride Center Education Champion Award, and the 2017 NAACP Medgar Evers Freedom Fighter Award.
She is energized by this opportunity and the man ways she can help advance Peralta’s Strategic Plan as well as leverage these pivotal moments of change to support continued growth and success through innovation and collaboration.
Dr. Gregory Anderson
Forum: Monday, May 18, 2026, at 10:15am
Zoom Recording: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/okz4O_MmkbwfUGy2tgJL_p9idaOv_caWNKPF086DB4Oy17y0slvg3zNB6fYtsJjB.3d0YB17GAJWurVa8
Feedback Form: https://share-na2.hsforms.com/1jzxRoqtBRDeSdsN_caRKvw3t549
Students are at the center of Dr. Gregory Anderson’s work. He has served as a tenured faculty member, Academic Senate president, chief instructional officer, and college president, including a multi-college district role leading both academic and student services. That breadth grounds his approach in the full student experience, from curriculum and workforce development to mentoring, basic needs, and student success.
Currently serving as Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Learning at Ventura College, Dr. Anderson advances an integrated model of instruction and support, aligning planning, budgeting, hiring, curriculum, and accreditation with equitable student outcomes. He has led institutional efforts that nearly doubled success rates for Black and Latino students, expanded dual enrollment, strengthened transfer and workforce pathways, and established Dream Centers and Puente.
He holds a doctorate from USC with an emphasis in Urban Education, a master’s in teaching, and bachelor’s degrees in Speech Communication and English. In every role, Gregory has approached leadership with a simple conviction: equity is not an initiative. It is the mission.
Dr. Rosslyn Knight
Forum: Monday, May 18, 2026, at 11am
Zoom Recording: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/OFq34lj1bRIowHwwrlNmKxGq_6iqB4JpnkTD_DbqrzUmFUygRHg2pvFQ-_8odOEf.nnFDedvPtZ_GOiVV (note: audio begins 50 seconds into the video)
Feedback Form: https://share-na2.hsforms.com/1aP6NZocQRUWWfKk8eDBXZQ3t549
Dr. Rosslyn Knight is a higher education leader with more than 20 years of experience in community college administration, academic leadership, and faculty development. A 2025–2026 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellow, Dr. Knight has held senior leadership roles at Guttman Community College (City University of New York), Maricopa County Community College District, and Rio Salado College. She began her community college career as an adjunct faculty member teaching ESL and developmental reading courses through online, correspondence and in-person modalities.
Her career reflects a deep commitment to equity, student success, and institutional transformation at open-access institutions. Dr. Knight’s expertise spans K-12 education, developmental education reform, curriculum development, and strategic planning. She has also brought a global perspective to her work through international teaching experience (K-12 and adult education) in West Africa.
Dr. Knight holds an Ed.D. in Community College Leadership from San Diego State University, an M.Ed. in Language and Literacy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Vanderbilt University.
David Crafts
Forum: Monday, May 18, 2026, at 11:45am
Zoom Recording: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/C9N9cXGoY77ufpATMC_X8SDPH0-n5lDOORuEqMT2EWkynsvBIj4KqN5QBteUjJGL.rT8LBsAcUXNXr-6D
Feedback Form: https://share-na2.hsforms.com/1PkJRaD84QvO0ViID1CTGww3t549
David Crafts (they/them) is a seasoned higher ed leader with over 25 years of experience advancing equity, access, and student success across institutions in Ohio, Florida, and California. Their career spans student services, instruction, and auxiliary operations, culminating most recently as Dean of Enrollment Services and Support Programs at College of San Mateo.
Rooted in lived experience as a queer, first‑generation, and low‑income student, David built a leadership philosophy centered on community‑driven, liberatory education. Their experience extends beyond campus by previously serving as Executive Director of a nonprofit where they designed curriculum and trained law enforcement in social justice theory. They are also a Commissioner in San Mateo County advising on policies impacting LGBTQIA+ residents and also serve on the board of the Cheer For Life Foundation, supporting services for marginalized communities.
David holds a B.S. in Psychology and M.Ed. in Education from Grand Valley State University. They have earned specialized certifications in sexual misconduct investigation, campus crisis management, and human resources, reflecting a commitment to professional excellence.
Dr. Newin Orante
Forum: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 9:30am
Zoom Recording: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/x1FVU80SX9dfAqrhZOAz9wjeYZNf9nPA41wIbZn2NYai9OMS0Q-h_urHz3DanC_P.lforz00YT7zbtSwv
Feedback Form: https://share-na2.hsforms.com/1s3OM0rDLSYixIT8C8s64_A3t549
Dr. Newin Paul C. Orante is a seasoned higher education leader with more than three decades of service in higher education and across multi-college districts, including Contra Costa, Peralta, and San Mateo. He served as Dean of Students at Laney College, Vice President of Student Services at Diablo Valley College, and later as Vice President of Student Services and Interim President at Skyline College. He has led integrated strategies aligning Student and Academic Affairs, resulting in enrollment stabilization, expanded equity programs, improved student success outcomes, and strengthened fiscal planning through transparent processes. His leadership centers equity, anti-racism, and social justice, advancing student-ready institutions through data-informed practice. Dr. Orante is a founding board member of The Coalition, a partnership of APAHE, A2MEND, and COLEGAS, and serves on the board of Homies Empowerment, advancing youth leadership in Oakland, California. A long-time Oakland resident, he brings deep knowledge of the city, and commitment to the Peralta Community College District.
Lisa Cook
Forum: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 10:15am
Zoom Recording: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/R5uvKBNfRO6NRw66lBqfa3cHGdP_wqxwfv4tnTK_sMbGeB6uojeXrEfPvF1LfAgM.4Uigx058mx80U9bo
Feedback Form: https://share-na2.hsforms.com/1nP-IdpCmRW-p83ZSx6jXbg3t549
Whether it’s in the role of tenured faculty, Dean or Vice President of Instruction, Lisa Cook has dedicated 27 years to improving student learning and success at our colleges. Anticipating opportunities and developing collaborative processes for teams to envision equity-driven change, Lisa has planned for and implemented clearer program pathways to transfer and employment, equitable placement and support in English and math, dual enrollment partnerships, zero textbook cost courses and degree pathways, and innovative apprenticeship programs. Her work has been recognized with five awards at Peralta and with invitations to present her successes at national conferences. She serves on statewide planning boards and committees and has been selected to participate in the 2026 UC Davis Wheelhouse Advancing Leaders Institute. As a second-generation community college educator, she holds a BA in Writing & Poetics and an MA in teaching English as a Second Language.
Dr. Nicole Porter
Forum: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 11am
Zoom Recording: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/cRuSUzRyHDjGsSJAM71nPwAXuPHoe5-_xa_VLzt1shHJfIN7x4GJPURETLgfaKzX.MaI0z9yYX6oGX4bK
Feedback Form: https://share-na2.hsforms.com/1ssjIymoSS6SuQjFOwqMJEA3t549
Dr. Nicole Porter brings more than 25 years of experience in education, grounded in a deep commitment to serving students, families, and communities. She currently serves as VP of Instruction at the College of Alameda, where she works in close partnership with faculty, staff, and campus leadership to strengthen academic programs, expand access, and support student success. She has also served as VP of Student Services and Equity and as an Instructional Dean, giving her a comprehensive understanding of both instruction and student services. She has led efforts to eliminate class cancellations, expand access to gateway courses, and create inclusive environments for all students. A former tenured faculty member and recipient of the Meyers Excellence in Teaching Award, Dr. Porter values shared governance, meaningful relationships, and the student experience. Her leadership is rooted in listening, collaboration, and ensuring that institutional decisions reflect the needs of the students the college serves.
Dr. Elvin Ramos
Forum: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 11:45am
Zoom Recording: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/eF8VxiwGo71CMpulxdm4DD2hZmMuQ9iDCRho6SnVCz7oISUcw0aWmEMBwiz0c4Hu.gGu5Uv3qPFEPd8FW
Feedback Form: https://share-na2.hsforms.com/1yBrwAEd1SIq7LEc9zVT7Mg3t549
Dr. Elvin T. Ramos currently serves as the Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities at De Anza College in Cupertino, California. He leads inclusive focused initiatives that support both faculty and student development.
Dr. Ramos has served as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the University of the District of Columbia Community College in Washington, D.C. He prioritized equity in student onboarding, retention, and completion.
He is the founder of Global Tassels, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering first generation students from underserved communities around the world through access to higher education. He has served as President, expanding the organization’s reach to Haiti, Kenya, the Philippines, Ghana, Cambodia, Colombia, Guatemala, Thailand, and India. He recently served as Board Chair.
Dr. Ramos has a doctorate in history from St. John’s University. He is completing a second doctorate in sustainability at Prescott College in May 2026. His work centers on transforming educational ecosystems and exploring the intersection of leadership and community empowerment. As a visionary and equity driven leader, he seeks to align strategy with inclusive practices to build educational environments that are innovative, resilient, accessible, and responsive to the communities they serve.
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Many thanks to all the individuals who served on the screening and interview committee for this important new position. Please submit your feedback by 5pm on Friday, May 22, 2026.