Overview

Recent analysis reveals significant disparities in compensation for top administrators across California community colleges, despite similarities in student enrollment and institutional size. The examination focused on salary data from 2023 for presidents and vice presidents at various colleges, highlighting notable differences in pay.

El Camino College's President Brenda Thames and Cerritos College's President Jose Fierro exemplify this pay gap, with Fierro earning substantially more than Thames. This trend continues across other institutions, raising questions about the factors influencing administrative salaries.

Key details

  • The analysis reviewed 2023 salary data for top administrators at eight California community colleges.
  • Institutions included El Camino, Cerritos, Santa Monica, Long Beach City, San Diego City, Los Angeles Pierce, Riverside City, and Antelope Valley colleges.
  • Brenda Thames, President of El Camino College, earned a total of $345,171 in 2023.
  • Thames received an additional $25,008 in other pay.
  • Jose Fierro, President of Cerritos College, earned $455,076 in total pay in 2023.
  • Fierro's total compensation included $63,096 in other pay, making him the highest-paid president among the analyzed colleges.
  • Fierro's salary was 31.8% higher than Thames', highlighting the pay disparity.
  • Other presidential salaries included Michael Muñoz of Long Beach City College at $332,133.
  • Ricky Shabazz, President of San Diego City College, earned $289,629.
  • Aracely Aguiar, interim president of Los Angeles Pierce College in 2023, received $290,567.
  • Aguiar was appointed as the permanent president on July 1, 2024.
  • The analysis utilized data from Transparent California, a public pay and pension database.

Context

The findings come at a time when California community colleges are facing changing student enrollment numbers and increasing budget challenges, prompting scrutiny of administrative compensation structures.

What happens next