Palomar College Names Four Presidential Finalists
The board has moved to the final stage of selecting a new leader, which will impact college operations and local contracts.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in People
Live Poll
Should community colleges prioritize internal staff when hiring for top leadership positions?
Palomar College has named four finalists in its search to replace former superintendent and president Star Rivera-Lacey, who resigned in November 2025. The selection process will determine leadership for the institution, which serves nearly 20,000 students across its San Marcos main campus and three satellite centers.
Why it matters
The appointment of a new superintendent is a critical leadership transition for the college, which manages a significant workforce and educational infrastructure in San Marcos and the surrounding areas. The board's choice will shape the long-term operational strategy and administrative priorities for the 20,000-student system.
The college currently serves nearly 20,000 students across four locations, including its main campus in San Marcos. The board has narrowed the leadership search to four finalists to succeed the previous president.
The players
Palomar College
A public community college district serving nearly 20,000 students through a main campus in San Marcos and centers in three other regional cities.
Star Rivera-Lacey
The former superintendent and president of Palomar College who resigned from the institution in November 2025.
The details
The Palomar College Board of Governors is responsible for the selection process and has narrowed the search to Nicole Jones, Isabel de Los Angeles O'Connor, Tina L. Recalde, and Omar Javier Torres. These finalists will step into a system that operates multiple educational centers, including sites in Escondido, Fallbrook, and Rancho Bernardo. The new leader will assume responsibility for navigating the institution's ongoing fiscal and academic mandates following the departure of the former president.
Timeline
November 2025: Star Rivera-Lacey resigned from her position at the college.
October 20, 2026: The board officially announced the four finalists for the role.
Market Landscape
The current search follows the unexpected November 2025 resignation of Star Rivera-Lacey, which triggered a period of interim leadership. This transition is a standard board-governed replacement process aimed at stabilizing the institution's administration.
Operators in the region should monitor the appointment, as the incoming president will influence the college's procurement policies, workforce development initiatives, and community partnerships. Local businesses dependent on the student population or college contracts should prepare for potential shifts in administrative priorities following the new hire.
The takeaway
The board has now moved into the final stages of vetting candidates to fill the superintendent vacancy. Interested stakeholders should watch for upcoming board meeting agendas, where the final selection and formal transition plan are expected to be placed on the record.
Further reading
For more on shifts in local organizational leadership, see People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Coast News.
Live Poll
Should community colleges prioritize internal staff when hiring for top leadership positions?
