Santa Monica College Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Santa Monica College has 9 executives leading key functions including academic strategy, institutional governance, student advocacy, and administrative operations.

Committed to academic excellence and accessibility, Santa Monica College provides a world-class education through diverse degree programs and robust transfer pathways to prestigious universities for students across California and beyond.

Leadership Roles at Santa Monica College

  • President - Brittany Beall
  • College President - Piedad Robertson
  • CSEA President - Michael Roberts
  • Superintendent and President - Chui Tsang
  • Club President - Gabriel Hernandez
  • President - Rebecca Kennerly
  • President - Ailsa Ortiz
  • President - Jeffery Shimizu
  • President - Diane Chen
  • Brittany Beall - President

    Brittany Beall, the President at Santa Monica College, directs the overarching academic vision and institutional growth strategies. Overseeing the alignment of curriculum with transfer requirements for major universities, the President ensures that educational offerings remain competitive and relevant. This leadership role involves managing complex departmental budgets and fostering partnerships with external academic institutions to expand student opportunities. By prioritizing student success metrics, Brittany Beall directly impacts the college's reputation as a top transfer institution. The President maintains rigorous standards for faculty performance and student support services, ensuring that the campus environment promotes intellectual development. Through consistent engagement with the Board, the President secures the necessary resources to maintain affordable tuition models. Ultimately, Beall drives the long-term sustainability of the institution while upholding the mission of providing accessible, high-quality education to a diverse student body.

    Piedad Robertson - College President

    Piedad Robertson, the College President at Santa Monica College, manages the daily administrative functions and long-term strategic planning for the campus. Overseeing the integration of online and on-campus learning modalities, the College President ensures that the institution meets the evolving needs of international and out-of-state learners. This leadership role involves coordinating with academic deans to refine the 200+ degree and certificate programs offered to the student population. By optimizing financial aid distribution and scholarship outreach, Piedad Robertson directly impacts the affordability of the college experience. The College President facilitates cross-departmental collaboration to improve student retention rates and graduation outcomes. Through active participation in regional educational forums, the College President elevates the profile of the institution within the broader California higher education landscape. Ultimately, Robertson secures the operational excellence required to maintain the college's status as a premier transfer destination.

    Michael Roberts - CSEA President

    Michael Roberts, the CSEA President at Santa Monica College, represents the interests of classified staff while ensuring operational efficiency across all support departments. Overseeing the labor relations and professional development initiatives for staff members, the CSEA President ensures that the workforce remains aligned with the college's mission of student-centered service. This leadership role involves negotiating workplace standards and advocating for resources that enhance the daily functioning of campus facilities. By fostering a collaborative environment between staff and administration, Michael Roberts directly impacts the quality of support services available to the student body. The CSEA President monitors internal policies to ensure compliance with state regulations and institutional goals. Through consistent communication with the broader college community, the CSEA President promotes a culture of transparency and mutual respect. Ultimately, Roberts secures the operational stability necessary for the college to deliver consistent educational outcomes.

    Chui Tsang - Superintendent and President

    Chui Tsang, the Superintendent and President at Santa Monica College, governs the entire institutional framework and fiscal health of the college. Overseeing the implementation of large-scale academic initiatives, the Superintendent and President ensures that the institution maintains its status as a leader in transfers to UC, USC, and LMU. This leadership role involves managing the complex relationship between the college and state educational authorities to secure funding and policy support. By architecting long-term development plans, Chui Tsang directly impacts the physical and digital infrastructure of the campus. The Superintendent and President coordinates with the Board to establish strategic priorities that address the needs of a diverse student population. Through rigorous oversight of administrative departments, the Superintendent and President ensures that all operations support the core mission of academic excellence. Ultimately, Tsang secures the future growth and market position of the college.
    Chui Tsang

    Gabriel Hernandez - Club President

    Gabriel Hernandez, the Club President at Santa Monica College, leads student-driven initiatives that enhance campus life and extracurricular engagement. Overseeing the coordination of student organizations, the Club President ensures that learners have access to diverse social and academic communities that complement their formal studies. This leadership role involves managing event budgets and facilitating communication between student groups and the college administration. By promoting inclusivity and active participation, Gabriel Hernandez directly impacts the overall student experience and sense of belonging on campus. The Club President organizes workshops and networking opportunities that help students build professional skills outside the classroom. Through collaboration with student government, the Club President advocates for resources that support the growth of student-led projects. Ultimately, Hernandez secures a vibrant campus culture that encourages personal development and leadership among the student body, reinforcing the college's commitment to holistic education.

    Rebecca Kennerly - President

    Rebecca Kennerly, the President at Santa Monica College, focuses on community outreach and the expansion of external partnerships that benefit the student population. Overseeing the development of programs that connect the college with local industry leaders, the President ensures that degree offerings remain aligned with current workforce demands. This leadership role involves managing public relations and fundraising efforts to support scholarship programs for underserved students. By strengthening ties with regional stakeholders, Rebecca Kennerly directly impacts the college's ability to provide affordable and relevant education. The President facilitates dialogue between the college and the broader community to ensure that institutional goals reflect the needs of the local population. Through strategic advocacy, the President secures the necessary support to maintain the college's reputation as a top-tier transfer institution. Ultimately, Kennerly drives the community engagement initiatives that sustain the college's long-term growth and impact.
    Rebecca Kennerly

    Ailsa Ortiz - President

    Ailsa Ortiz, the President at Santa Monica College, directs the implementation of student success programs designed to improve graduation and transfer rates. Overseeing the assessment of academic support services, the President ensures that students receive the guidance necessary to navigate the complex transfer process to prestigious universities. This leadership role involves analyzing student performance data to identify areas for improvement in curriculum delivery. By optimizing the availability of tutoring and counseling resources, Ailsa Ortiz directly impacts the academic achievement of the student body. The President coordinates with faculty to integrate innovative teaching methods that cater to both online and on-campus learners. Through consistent monitoring of institutional outcomes, the President ensures that the college meets its performance benchmarks. Ultimately, Ortiz secures the academic integrity and effectiveness of the institution, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to reach their educational and career goals.

    Jeffery Shimizu - President

    Jeffery Shimizu, the President at Santa Monica College, manages the strategic expansion of the college's digital learning platforms and online degree offerings. Overseeing the technological infrastructure required for remote education, the President ensures that students have seamless access to high-quality instruction regardless of their location. This leadership role involves collaborating with IT departments to implement tools that enhance the virtual classroom experience. By prioritizing the accessibility of online resources, Jeffery Shimizu directly impacts the college's ability to serve a global student population. The President monitors the effectiveness of digital programs to ensure they meet the same rigorous standards as traditional on-campus courses. Through continuous investment in educational technology, the President secures the college's position as a modern, forward-thinking institution. Ultimately, Shimizu drives the digital transformation efforts that allow the college to remain competitive in the evolving landscape of higher education.

    Diane Chen - President

    Diane Chen, the President at Santa Monica College, oversees the financial planning and resource allocation strategies that support the college's diverse range of 200+ degrees and certificates. Managing the fiscal health of the institution, the President ensures that funds are directed toward programs that provide the highest value to students. This leadership role involves balancing the budget to maintain affordable tuition while investing in campus facilities and student services. By optimizing financial operations, Diane Chen directly impacts the college's ability to offer significant scholarship opportunities. The President works closely with the finance department to ensure transparency and accountability in all institutional spending. Through careful stewardship of resources, the President secures the financial stability required to support long-term academic goals. Ultimately, Chen drives the fiscal policies that enable the college to continue its mission of providing accessible, world-class education to all learners.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Santa Monica College Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Santa Monica College?
    Santa Monica College is led by Brittany Beall (President), along with executives such as Piedad Robertson (College President) and Michael Roberts (CSEA President).
    Who is part of Santa Monica College’s executive team?
    The executive team of Santa Monica College includes leaders such as Brittany Beall (President), Piedad Robertson (College President), Michael Roberts (CSEA President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Santa Monica College have?
    Santa Monica College has 9 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Santa Monica College’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Santa Monica College includes roles such as President, College President, CSEA President, Superintendent and President, Club President.