Archon Bobby McDonald Named to California State Community College Board of Governors

Archon McDonald, executive director of the Black Chamber of Commerce of Orange County, is Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s newly appointed trustee to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors. The 17-member board oversees 110 community colleges in 72 districts throughout 58 counties statewide and representing 2.7 million students.

The Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, by statute, provides leadership and policy direction in the continuing development of the California Community College System. Among its charges are establishing minimum academic and personnel standards; evaluating and reporting on the fiscal and educational effectiveness of the 72 districts; conducting research and providing appropriate information services; providing advocacy and accountability for the colleges before state and national legislative and executive agencies; and administering fiscal-support programs, both operational and capital outlay.

A Vietnam veteran and a product of both Los Angeles Harbor Community College and Cal State Fullerton, he views his job as a trustee as a mandate to help boost the credibility, exposure and visibility of the community colleges. “People should know the value and positive impact of the community colleges,” he says. “If it wasn’t for them, I’m not sure I would have made it here.”

Among Archon McDonald’s numerous affiliations is the California Cultural Historical Endowment, the board of which he serves as a member. He is also one of the founder’s of both the Orange County Sports Hall of Fame and the Orange County Presidents Council.