Napa Valley College President Search
Announcing The Next Napa Valley College Superintendent/President
Dear Napa Valley College Community,
The Napa Valley College Board of Trustees is pleased to share this announcement detailing the culmination of the comprehensive and highly competitive search process for the next Superintendent/President.
Following a four-month search the Napa Valley College Board of Trustees is pleased to announce their consensus on the selection of its new Superintendent/President, Dr. Gayle Pitman. Dr. Pitman has accepted our offer to begin negotiating a formal employment contract which will be presented publicly for Board action on the agenda of our next regularly scheduled Board meeting of May 21, 2026.
To ensure a thorough and inclusive process, the Board engaged Community College Search Services to lead a semester-long, statewide and national search that began in January. A five-week recruitment period was conducted during February and March, resulting in a record-setting 85 applications from highly qualified candidates across California and the nation.
A representative search committee composed of 14 campus and community stakeholders played a critical role in this process. Committee members carefully reviewed 47 applicants who met minimum qualifications, conducted first-round interviews with 11 candidates, and recommended a group of finalists for consideration. Additionally, the Board received a tremendous amount of feedback from members of the Napa Valley College and larger Napa County communities following the Open Forums with the candidates.
The Board extends its sincere appreciation to the committee for their dedication, professionalism, and thoughtful engagement. The Board is also grateful for the careful considerations from the larger community.
Following final interviews and campus and community input opportunities, the Board is confident that Dr. Pitman brings the experience, leadership, and vision needed to guide Napa Valley College into its next chapter.
Please join us at the May 21st Board meeting to welcome Dr. Gayle Pitman to Napa Valley College. Additional opportunities to meet and engage with our new Superintendent/President will be announced in the coming weeks.
Respectfully,
Jennifer Baker
President
NVC Board of Trustees
Dr. Gayle Pitman
Dr. Gayle Pitman is a community college leader with more than 25 years of experience advancing student success, equity, and institutional effectiveness in California’s community colleges. She serves as Vice President of Institutional Equity, Effectiveness, and Success at Hartnell College, where she leads strategic planning, accreditation, institutional research, and equity initiatives.
Dr. Pitman began her career as a part-time faculty member, later earning a full-time position and serving in faculty leadership roles before moving into administration. She leads complex, cross-functional initiatives that align people, priorities, and resources in service of equity and student success. Her work focuses on improving access, persistence, and completion while strengthening pathways to transfer and living-wage careers, particularly for first-generation students, multilingual learners, and working adults. She brings a collaborative, steady approach grounded in trust, authenticity, innovation, and sustained change.
Her leadership is informed by a background in clinical psychology, with experience in correctional settings, community mental health, and college counseling. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology and a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology and Women’s Studies from Tufts University.
Dr. Pitman is a participant in the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship and is committed to community-centered leadership. She engages regional partners to align pathways with workforce priorities and strengthen transfer to four-year universities, advancing opportunity and economic mobility.An accomplished author of children’s books celebrating LGBTQ+ history and culture, she centers inclusion, representation, and belonging in her leadership, grounded in the belief that every student deserves to be seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.