Joel L. A. Peterson Ph.D.

Joel L. A. Peterson, PhD, MBA, MA, serves as the Vice Chancellor and Executive Operations Officer at the San Diego Community College District, overseeing one of California's largest community college systems. With extensive experience in higher education administration, Peterson has previously held significant roles, including Director of Facilities, Operations, and Construction at Glendale Community College District, and Assistant Vice President for Capital Projects and Facilities at Harvey Mudd College. Additional expertise includes leadership positions at notable companies such as Level 3 Communications and BellSouth Corporation, focusing on strategy, corporate development, and operations. Peterson holds a PhD in Higher Education Leadership from Claremont Graduate University, an MBA from Virginia Tech, and a BA in International Economics from the University of Virginia, among other qualifications.