Power Vacuum at Oxnard College

With two administrators on leave and two vacancies in the executive ranks, Oxnard College’s top four jobs are either empty or filled on a temporary basis, The Ventura County Star reported.

Both President Roberto Gonzalez and the college’s vice president of business services are on leave, according to an email from the Ventura County Community College District chancellor’s office, which has responsibility for Oxnard. The email did not specify why either official was placed on leave, and a district spokesperson declined to share details with the newspaper, citing confidentiality.

Interim officials were appointed to both positions earlier this month.

Gonzalez has been president since summer 2024. His predecessor, Luis Sanchez, was fired in early 2023, shortly before he planned to retire, as he faced a sexual harassment and misconduct investigation. (Sanchez previously denied the claims.)

Oxnard faculty have been critical of Gonzalez’s leadership in recent months, accusing him of failing to communicate transparently on instructional changes and finances in a recent letter. Faculty allege Gonzalez violated shared governance norms with recent course reductions.

District officials told the Faculty Senate at a meeting this week that this is believed to be the first time every top administrative role has been either vacant or filled by an acting or interim leader.