College of the Desert names Val Martinez Garcia as new superintendent/president

*Val Martinez Garcia has been selected as COD’s next superintendent/president following a vote during a special meeting.*

The College of the Desert Board of Trustees has selected Val Martinez Garcia as the institution’s ninth superintendent/president following a vote during a special meeting on Wednesday evening.

The board approved Martinez Garcia’s appointment with a 3-2 vote, with contract details to be finalized and presented for formal approval at the upcoming board meeting on Friday.

Trustees Joel Kinnamon, Rubén AríAztlán Pérez and Mary Jane Sanchez-Fulton voted for Garcia Martinez’s appointment; Trustees Ron Oden and Mark Meyer voted against the move.

Martinez Garcia, who has been serving as acting interim superintendent/president of COD since December, has more than two decades of leadership experience in higher education to the role.

“In Mr. Val Martinez Garcia, we have a leader who deeply understands both the challenges and opportunities facing College of the Desert,” said Kinnamon, who chairs Board of Trustees.

“His collaborative approach and commitment to educational excellence will help us build on our strengths and address the evolving needs of our students and community,” Kinnamon added.

The selection follows a comprehensive recruitment process conducted in partnership with AGB Search, LLC, a national firm specializing in higher education leadership searches.

The college received 73 qualified applications from across the country, ultimately narrowing the field to four finalists who advanced to public forums and final interviews.

At College of the Desert, Martinez Garcia has served as both vice president of instruction and vice president of student services, overseeing programs and services for more than 14,000 students.

His accomplishments include expanding the dual enrollment program and leading the development of the Educational Strategic Master Plan.

Martinez Garcia has contributed to major facilities projects including the Indio Campus Expansion and Palm Springs Campus Design.

He currently serves as regional representative for the Chief Student Services Officers Association.

Martinez Garcia holds a master’s degree in school counseling and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of La Verne and is pursuing a doctorate in organizational leadership.