The Palomar College Governing Board took important steps forward in the Superintendent/President search, approving a revised timeline, finalizing the search committee, and adopting a candidate profile centered on enrollment, governance, fiscal stability, and student success.

On December 10, 2025, the Palomar College Governing Board held a Special meeting to review information regarding the process of searching for a new College Superintendent/President.

Palomar College has entered a new chapter with the departure of Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey as Superintendent/President. Her leadership left a powerful legacy of stability, accreditation success, and equity.

We now welcome Dr. Tina Recalde as Acting Superintendent/President as the Board begins the search process for our next leader.

Read my full Trustee Update on the blog: https://www.rodriguezforpalomar.org/updates/trustee-update-upcoming-december-meetings

After 42 full days of the government shutdown, the longest in American history, today the House voted on the Senate's negotiated Continuing Resolution (CR) to reopen the government.  A brief summary of the agreement to re-open government by the Association of Community College Trustees.

The Palomar College Governing Board meeting was dominated by public comment from students, faculty staff and community members expressing concern over the deletion of the college’s Anti-Discrimination Board Policy.

Big things happening in Fallbrook! The new Palomar building is officially topped off and moving fast toward completion. Can’t wait to see this beautiful new campus serving students right here in our community.

A brief update on budget and legislative issues happening in both Washington DC, and Sacramento.

True meritocracy only exists when everyone has an equal opportunity. DEI doesn’t mean closing doors for some to open them for others—it means opening doors that should have been open all along. It doesn’t mean lowering the bar—it means recognizing that the bar has never been level, and working to fix that.

The administration’s proposed changes to Pell grants aren’t just policy shifts. They are direct threats to students we all know. The student who takes 9 units a semester while working 30 hours a week to support their family? They could lose their grant. The student who took a leave of absence to care for an ill parent, then returned to complete their degree on a part-time schedule? Their aid could disappear.