Chancellor

Rick MacLennan, Ed.D., was selected by the Board of Trustees to serve as Chancellor beginning July 2022. He has more than 30 years of experience in educational leadership at community colleges in Idaho, Maryland, and Washington.  

Dr. MacLennan is dedicated to supporting Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura colleges and the District Office in providing equitable, student-centered access to quality and relevant educational programs and support services. He is committed to the community colleges’ missions of access and opportunity and believes that students are unique individuals with meaningful differences in their learning styles and abilities, attitudes toward learning and life, past educational experiences, culturally based values, and interests and goals.  

Through meaningful engagement with the community, Dr. MacLennan believes that by reducing barriers to education and by strengthening partnerships with high schools, business and industry, and social service agencies, communities and their members thrive. Throughout his career, Dr. MacLennan has been deeply engaged in his communities, serving in leadership roles for regional economic development efforts, higher education policy and planning, local nonprofit boards, and community foundations.

A Southern California native, Dr. MacLennan’s path to higher education began as an adult learner after serving in the U.S. Army as an enlisted infantry soldier. Dr. MacLennan earned bachelor’s degrees in communications and general studies from Portland State University and a master's in college student services administration from Oregon State University. He graduated with distinction as the outstanding doctoral student from Wilmington College (now University), New Castle, Delaware, with a doctor of education in educational innovation and leadership.