Jerry Buckley

After nearly six years of service at College of the Canyons as Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Jerry Buckley has been named President of Reedley College by the State Center Community College District Board of Trustees, effective June 1.

Buckley will take over for Reedley College president Dr. Sandra Caldwell, who is currently the executive director of the Wyoming Community College Commission.

“I am very pleased for Dr. Buckley and wish to congratulate him on being selected as the new President of Reedley College,” commented COC Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “He has a long history of service to California community colleges and I am very excited for the leadership and innovation he will bring to Reedley College.”

In his current position at COC, Buckley is the Accreditation Liaison Officer, oversees 145 degree and certificate programs, helps facilitate the College Promise Initiative, and leads the implementation of career pathways and continuing education opportunities across the Santa Clarita Valley.

In his new position, Buckley will be responsible for the planning and leadership of the Reedley’s main campus, as well as the college’s off-campus locations.

“I hope to use my combined experience of nearly 40 years in industry and higher education to offer support and encouragement for a truly excellent college and its surrounding communities,” Buckley said. “I am truly honored to be selected as the next President of Reedley College.”

Buckley has served as an academic administrator since 2005 in the roles of dean, senior dean and vice president within both single college and multi-college districts.

Before joining the Santa Clarita Community College District, Buckley was the Vice President of Instruction at San Diego Miramar College, a Senior Dean of Institutional Research, Planning & Institutional Effectiveness for the Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College District, and Dean of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Exercise Science and Wellness at Grossmont College.

While at Grossmont, he also served for 15 years as a full-time faculty member and rose to the academic rank of full professor.

During his 15 years in the classroom, Buckley developed educational programs and courses in both cardiovascular and anesthesia technology.

Prior to entering higher education, Buckley worked in healthcare for 14 years, coordinating and training personnel in clinical research that focused on medical imaging and medical device development in the cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary sciences.

After completing his undergraduate studies in biological sciences from the University of Southern California, Buckley earned a master’s degree in biology from California State University, Fullerton and a doctorate in educational leadership from San Diego State University. He is also a graduate of the LACCD/UCLA Presidents Academy.

Buckley is currently a board member for Gateway SCV — an adult education collaboration with the William S. Hart School District — and an executive board member for the Valley Industry Association (VIA). He is also Chair of the Santa Clarita Environmental Education Consortium (SCEEC) and of the Advisory Council for the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center.

“During my six years with College of the Canyons, I have had the distinct honor of working with an exemplary leadership team, faculty and staff,” said Buckley. “It has been a pleasure serving the Santa Clarita community and I’ve had the opportunity to learn so much from our business and industry partners. Thanks to everyone I have worked with during this time, as I take with me valuable experiences that I will build on with my new college and community.”

Established in 1926, Reedley College is located in Reedley, California, approximately 20 miles southeast of Fresno. Included among the college’s facilities are an 800-acre forest center at nearby Lake Sequoia and a 300-acre farm.

The college serves approximately 15,000 students in 80 areas of study. As the area’s main education and economic center, Reedley College covers a service area of approximately 6,000 square-miles, providing educational opportunities to students throughout the San Joaquin Valley.