After serving the Contra Costa Community College District for 30 years, Diablo Valley College President Peter Garcia’s last day will be June 30, 2016.

A rumor had been circulating among college administrators earlier this semester that Garcia intended on retiring as early as this year. On Monday, March 7, the president’s office released a statement confirming the rumor.

In a statement, Garcia remarked that he was “confident about DVC’s condition and future,” citing the college’s fiscal health, plans to bring on thirty new tenure track faculty, and DVC’s growing commitment to equity, excellence, and learning.

Academic Senate vice president and Biological Science professor John Freytag had this to say about the announcement, “President Garcia’s collaborative, respectful and ethical leadership style has been essential to helping DVC work towards the reaffirmation of its accreditation, develop and implement it strategic plan, and re-envision its entire governance structure.”

He went on to praise President Garcia’s willingness to listen to and work constructively with everyone on campus, saying, “President Garcia’s leadership has helped DVC regain its sense of excellence and community and become once again a place that people want to be.” 

No transition plan or successor has been announced yet.