Dr. Lena Tran was named Interim Chancellor of the Yosemite Community College District (YCCD), which oversees Columbia College in Sonora and Modesto Junior College in Modesto, during a YCCD Board of Trustees meeting on May 14. However, the announcement of Tran’s appointment was not welcome one for a number of Columbia College faculty and staff.
Tran has served as president of Columbia Community College since March 2022, where the district says she has championed workforce development, student success, and strategic partnerships with local industry and education partners. Prior to joining Columbia, she held executive roles at San Jose City College and Evergreen Valley College, where she was known for her innovation in program development and her strong industry ties with companies such as Microsoft, Google, Honda, and Apple.
“Dr. Tran’s proven leadership and deep understanding of student needs make her exceptionally qualified to serve as Interim Chancellor,” said Board President Dr. Milton Richards. “She has consistently demonstrated a commitment to improving access to education, developing workforce pipelines, and enhancing student success across the district. Under her leadership, Columbia College has earned national recognition for its academic and career programs, expanded strategic partnerships, and climbed in national rankings. Her vision and ability to deliver measurable results make her the right person to guide the District during this transition.”
During her tenure at Columbia College, Tran expanded high-impact academic and career pathways while emphasizing equity, access, and student-centered services. She also prioritized support for faculty and staff, increasing professional development and building collaborative partnerships throughout the region, said the district in a released statement.
“I am honored and humbled to serve as Interim Chancellor of this incredible district,” said Tran. “I look forward to working with our dedicated trustees, faculty, staff, and community partners at both Modesto Junior College and Columbia College to create a future where every student has the opportunity to thrive. Together, we will strengthen our institutions, expand student support services, and increase resources through fundraising and grant development.”
While the Board of Trustees is touting her successes, her tenure at Columbia College was not without strife.
Staff, faculty and students of Columbia College have spoken out about her poor leadership, particularly her unethical and unprofessional behavior. Tran was blamed for college staff leaving due to inhospitable working conditions created by her leadership and campus morale suffering. At the May 8, 2024 YCCD board meeting, staff, students, and faculty raised concerns hoping the board would consider not renewing Tran’s contract.
“As faculty and staff, we care deeply about our students both inside and outside of the classroom,” said Columbia College professor Rebecca Slate at the May 8, 2024 YCCD meeting. “Their safety and wellbeing, our number one priority. However, under Dr. Tran’s leadership, this has changed. For example, we frequently get snow storms which make our roads hazardous. The local geography dictates that it snows first and worst to the east before it reaches campus. Many of our students, faculty and staff live in that direction. Thus, it is crucial to allow these individuals that chance to get home safety before road conditions become treacherous. This is especially important for students who often don’t have four-wheel drive vehicles or tires with good tread. Instead, snow and ice have often been allowed to accumulate on campus roads and paths before students, faculty and staff have been allowed to leave. This has resulted in several crashes and spinouts leaving campus.”
At the same May 2024 meeting, faculty and staff member at Columbia College Kelsey Halstead said, “students, staff, faculty, myself included, are suffering from a hostile work environment under the leadership of Dr. Tran…under the leadership of Dr. Tran over the past two years has not only tested the resilience and cohesion of our institution, but unfortunately, has caused a significant fracture in my opinion.”
Frustrated by the lack of response from the president and the district, Columbia College faculty made a vote of no-confidence in Tran on Nov. 15, 2024. The MJC faculty senate voted to support Columbia’s vote of no confidence on Dec. 5, 2024. Columbia College staff enacted their own vote of no confidence on Dec. 13, 2024. The Associated Students of Columbia College presented a letter of support for the faculty vote of no confidence on Dec. 18, 2024.
Columbia College faculty member Dr. Adrienne Seegers said that “unfortunately” she wasn’t surprised that the YCCD Board appointed Tran
“We had so little response to the complaints at so many forums on campus from the president or the board,” she said. “We’re disappointed and obviously frustrated. A lot of it comes down to unprofessional behavior…yelling, grabbing people’s personal cell phones, repeatedly mistreating people… There are also concerns about mismanagement of funds.”
Seegers said all of the complaints have been reported through the college district’s internal processes, but they have seen no visible response.
Tran succeeds Chancellor Henry Yong, who has served the District with distinction since 2017.
Her academic background includes a Doctorate in Education in Organizational and Leadership Development from the University of San Francisco, an MBA from Seton Hall University, and a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from Montclair State University. She is also a former Fulbright Scholar and recipient of numerous leadership awards, including recognition as one of the Silicon Valley Business Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40.”
