MOORPARK — Following a nationwide search process, the Moorpark College President Search Committee has narrowed its selection to three finalists for the position of President, the Ventura County Community College District reported in a media release.
The finalists, in alphabetical order, are Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh, Tim McGrath, and Luis Pablo Sanchez.
The finalists will participate in a public forum from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1 in the Campus Center Conference Room at Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark.
Students, faculty, staff, and community members are encouraged to attend the public forum. Audience members will have an opportunity to submit questions. A final recommendation for the Moorpark College President’s position is expected to be presented to the Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees in January 2015.
Moorpark College President Finalist are:
Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh
Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh became President of West Los Angeles College in August 2011. He has worked in California Community Colleges for 25 years. Prior to becoming a college president, Abu-Ghazaleh served as Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Technology at the Coast Community College District and was Vice President of Academic Affairs at Pierce College. He started his community college career as a professor of engineering and technology at Pasadena City College where he was a tenured professor for 10 years teaching career and transfer curricula.
From 2000 to 2006, Nabil was a Dean of Student Learning at Moorpark College. He was first assigned to work with Fine, Performing, and Communication Arts, and ACCESS. In the latter half of his service at Moorpark College, he was also Dean of the natural sciences.
Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh completed his Ed.D. at CSU Fullerton. He holds a Bachelor and a Master of Sciences in Engineering Sciences from UC San Diego, and a Master of Arts in Higher Education and Organizational Change. He is a first generation college-goer and is deeply invested in the community college’s dual mission of access for all students who seek a higher education, and to high quality academics and career preparation that help prepare an engaged citizenry.
Tim McGrath
Tim McGrath has a 16-year record of success in California Community College administration. Presently, Tim is in his sixth year as Vice President of Instruction at San Diego Mesa College where he oversees six schools and all instructional programs. His roles include serving as a member of the executive team, chairing or serving on all major campus planning and administrative committees, working as the accreditation liaison officer, and representing Mesa College at district administrative meetings and in the community. Prior to his experience at Mesa College, Tim worked for seven years as the Dean of Student Learning at Moorpark College. He had both instructional and student service responsibilities, including chairing the primary campus planning committee, working as the co-chair of the accreditation committee, and serving as the co-chair of the technology and distant education committees.
Tim McGrath’s academic credentials include a Juris Doctorate from Western State University, College of Law; a Master of Science in Administration from Pepperdine University; a Bachelor of Science in Law from Western State University College of Law; and an Associate of Arts degree from Santa Monica College.
Tim and his wife, Lori, have two children: a daughter who lives in Atlanta and teaches fifth grade in Atlanta Public Schools and a son who lives in San Diego and works in the marketing department for the San Diego Padres.
Luis Pablo Sanchez
Luis Pablo Sanchez, JD, LLM, was born on August 13, 1954, in Laredo, Texas, to Amador and Josefina Sanchez. He attended public schools in Texas and California, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Los Angeles in 1976. In 1983, he earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, and was admitted to the California Bar Association. While practicing commercial law, Dr. Sanchez earned a Master’s degree in Business and Tax Law from McGeorge School of Law.
Dr. Sanchez taught business and corporate law part-time from 1986 to 1991 while maintaining a full-time private law practice. From 1991 to 2006, he taught Business Law, Federal Income Taxation, and Law and Society as a full-time instructor at Sierra Community College, in Rocklin, California. During this time, Dr. Sanchez continued to practice law on a part-time basis and was honored by his students with Sierra College’s Outstanding Instructor award in 1997-1998 and
1999-2000. He also wrote and published two textbook supplements on California Business Law. In 2006, Dr. Sanchez was appointed Associate Dean of Business and Technology at Sierra College and was subsequently promoted to Dean of Business, Technology, and Public Safety. On July 1, 2011, Dr. Sanchez assumed his duties as Associate Superintendent and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California.
Dr. Sanchez resides in San Luis Obispo, California. In his spare time, he enjoys travel, reading, hiking, playing golf, and playing guitar. He has served on the boards of directors for the YMCA in Sacramento and the Boys and Girls Club in Santa Maria. He has two adult children, Robert and Elizabeth Sanchez, of whom he is immensely proud, and two elderly rescue dogs who drag him along for a walk each morning, rain or shine.