MSJC Board of Trustees Names Dr. Tawny Dotson as Eighth Superintendent/President
4/23/2026
The Mt. San Jacinto Community College (MSJC) Board of Trustees has announced the selection of Dr. Tawny Dotson, current president of Yuba College, as the District's eighth Superintendent/President. Dr. Dotson is expected to assume the role on July 1, 2026, pending final contract approval at the next regularly scheduled board meeting on May 14, 2026.
The appointment follows a comprehensive national search conducted in partnership with the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). The process included a broad, diverse pool of candidates and was guided by a constituency-based search committee representing faculty, staff, the student body, and community stakeholders.
As part of the District's commitment to transparency and inclusive engagement, the process included public campus forums for finalists, held both in person and livestreamed to ensure broad accessibility. Members of the college community and the public were invited to participate and provide feedback via structured evaluation forms submitted directly to the Board of Trustees, which helped inform the final selection.
"Throughout this process, my guiding philosophy has been evolution, not revolution," said Tom Ashley, President of the MSJC Board of Trustees. "In Dr. Tawny Dotson, we have found the ideal complement to the exceptional legacy built by Dr. Roger Schultz and the entire MSJC community over the past nearly two decades.
Dr. Dotson brings a distinguished record of leadership within California's community college system and beyond, and we are confident that her vision, expertise, and student-centered approach will elevate the strong foundation already in place to new levels of excellence.
We are also proud to welcome Dr. Dotson as the first woman to serve as Superintendent/President in the history of Mt. San Jacinto College."
Dr. Dotson currently serves as president of Yuba College, where she has led institutional efforts focused on student success, enrollment growth, and workforce alignment. Under her leadership, the college has advanced strategic initiatives to expand access to higher education, strengthen partnerships with K–12 districts, and modernize facilities to meet evolving student and industry needs.
A retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force, Dr. Dotson brings more than two decades of military leadership experience, along with a distinguished career in higher education administration. Her background includes executive leadership roles, including chief of staff and vice president, with experience spanning multiple states and institutional contexts.
Dr. Dotson holds a Doctor of Education in Community College Leadership from Oregon State University, a Master of Arts from the University of Missouri, and a Bachelor of Arts from Washington State University. She is an Aspen Institute Rising Presidents Fellow and has been actively engaged in statewide and national leadership initiatives supporting community colleges.
“As an educator committed to ensuring students have equitable outcomes that lead to the good jobs and transfer opportunities they want, I knew MSJC was a place that I would love to work. During the selection process, I learned even more about MSJC’s welcoming environment, the care employees show their students, and the college's drive to transform lives firsthand. I am honored to have been selected for this role. I thank the Board of Trustees and the College community for their trust. I am looking forward to connecting with the communities we serve. Let’s go, Eagles!” said Dr. Dotson.
Dr. Dotson will succeed Superintendent/President Dr. Roger Schultz, whose tenure has been marked by significant institutional growth, expanded access, and transformative investments in facilities and student success initiatives. The Board of Trustees expressed its deep appreciation for Dr. Schultz's leadership and lasting contributions to the District.
Mt. San Jacinto College serves a diverse and growing region across Riverside County, providing comprehensive educational programs that support transfer, career technical education, and lifelong learning. Under new leadership, the District will continue to advance its mission of expanding opportunities and driving student success throughout the communities it serves.
Dr. Tawny Dotson, selected as Mt. San Jacinto College’s eighth Superintendent/President,
addresses students, employees, and community members during a public forum on Tuesday,
April 21, as part of the District’s presidential search process.
For more information about MSJC's Presidential Search, please go to msjc.edu/presidentialsearch