Steadying the ship

After a first semester focused on establishing organizational stability following a period of leadership transition, Riverside City College Interim President Eric Bishop is making efforts to shift the institution’s focus toward the implementation of a new five-year strategic plan. 

Bishop, who assumed the role on Aug. 20, 2025, intends to move the college forward by prioritizing student completion goals and strengthening community partnerships through the spring semester.

Serving previously as the superintendent and president of Ohlone College and as the interim vice chancellor for the district, the current leadership brings a background focused on institutional trust. 

He acknowledges that the initial months in this role were dedicated primarily to the process of building that trust within the campus community.

“I spent a lot of time really just trying to allow the college to get to know me,” He said. “What I heard is that the college is looking for some stability and I’m trying to bring that.” 

Central to Bishop’s vision for the spring is the implementation of the “Standard of Care.” Riverside Community College District explains on their website that the initiative aims to assist in “teaching, governance, leadership…community, service and administration.”

Bishop views success at RCC as students being able to streamline campus resources and move through their programs faster.

“Success looks like every student being able to immediately know who their counselor is and who their educational resource advisor is based on their major,” Bishop explained.

The college district is moving forward with the infrastructure projects funded by the $954 million bond initiative Measure CC. Current plans prioritize the development of the Inland Empire Technical Trade Center, including programs for automotive and welding students and a new cosmetology building.

While major structures like the IETTC are not expected to open until 2030, the administration is focusing on the immediate improvement to support campus resources and engagement centers.

“It’s nice to have big buildings and modernize the campus,” Bishop said. “It’s also nice to create little changes that people may not notice, but that they feel things get a little easier.”

While these physical and support upgrades aim to provide immediate consistency for the student body, the broader administrative future of the college remains a work in progress.

The search for a permanent leader at RCC is currently in its early stages as the college looks to move past a period of administrative turnover. Bishop, who was confirmed as interim president on Aug. 19, replaced Claire Oliveros following her removal by the Board of Trustees in June of last year. 

While Bishop is not involved in the search committee, he noted that the formal process to find a permanent replacement is expected to be behind this spring as faculty return to their contract cycles.

Entering the spring semester, Bishop has plans to emphasize a “student-first” approach to campus culture, urging students to use the Kane Student Services building to their advantage.

“Don’t walk around with a question. It’s natural to not know everything,” Bishop explained when asked to give new students advice to the college. “Let us get you the answer to whatever question you have so that you can feel secure in your footing.”

Success for the academic year will be measured by the full implementation of the Standard of Care, which Bishop envisions will create an environment where students move toward graduation or transfer more efficiently. 

Until a permanent president is confirmed, Bishop’s focus remains on providing “stability” and “calmness” to the campus while implementing long term institutional goals.