RCC president search finalists speak at public forums

The winning candidate to become Riverside City College’s next president is scheduled to assume the position on July 1.

The three candidates in the running for RCC’s top spot are Eric Bishop, who is currently serving as interim president, Feleccia Moore-Davis and Laura Ramirez. They all participated in public forums from May 26-28, where the campus community asked them questions. 

In addition to administrative oversight of the 20,000-plus-student college, the president’s job duties should include maintaining a strong on-campus presence and developing a clear institutional plan, according to the Riverside Community College District website.

An 18-member search committee, led by Norco College President Monica Green, was formed in February to begin the search. Then, in March, a presidential profile was created, leading to the final months of the search and selection of the finalists. 

The RCCD Board of Trustees will announce the next president at their June 16 Board meeting. 

Feleccia Moore-Davis

Moore-Davis, the current president of St. Louis Community College, participated in the first forum on May 26. Approximately 30 attendees asked Moore-Davis about her priorities should she become the next president. 

Topics ranged from equity and disability inclusion to the use of artificial intelligence in higher education. She said that her top priority during her first year would be learning more about RCC and the community it serves. 

“I know that we are a minority-serving institution,” Moore-Davis said. “I know things about the community, but there’s nothing like really getting engaged with that community to find out what we need to do next.”

Within that she said she hopes to meet as many students, faculty and staff while maintaining a visible presence on campus. 

The conversation also focused on disability as a core dimension of diversity and how it can be better integrated into equity efforts. Moore-Davis highlighted the importance of increasing awareness of neurodiversity and supporting students with diverse learning needs.

The conversation transitioned into the use of AI with her giving an emphasis on ethics. 

“We have to get in the game of AI. We need to talk about the ethics of AI. We need to talk about how we use it,” Moore-Davis said.

Moore-Davis closed the forum by emphasizing her commitment to student success and describing herself as a student-centered leader who believes in empowering students.

Eric Bishop

Bishop, who assumed the role of interim president of RCC in the fall semester of 2025, spoke at the May 27 forum. 

“There’s no place (in Riverside) I can go where someone doesn’t have a connection to Riverside City College,” Bishop said in his opening remarks. 

The forum centered on conversations from student needs and campus safety. Bishop said that students need to be vocal about their needs so he can address the needs. His goal is to further provide accessible opportunities for students.

“I want to be a barrier breaker for our students and I want to do it in this community,” he said.

Bishop addressed current issues at RCC like students’ completion rate. He said the completion rate is 20% and said he intends to create a plan to address the issue by making sure students are provided with resources that they need to complete courses. 

“Let us get you the answer to whatever question you have so that you can feel secure in your footing,” Bishop said in a previous Viewpoints article. 

Laura Ramirez

Final candidate Ramirez, the current assistant superintendent and vice president of instruction at Pasadena City College, spoke at the forum on May 28.

Ramirez began the forum by sharing her educational background. She said she initially pursued science before transitioning into instructional education. Ramirez stated that her experience in the classroom and as an administrator across numerous academic areas will help her understand and support the needs of the college community, should she get the role. She shares her diverse experiences in education, including serving as a college faculty member, high school teacher, academic dean and vice president. 

“I’m not scared to roll up my sleeves,” she said. I’m not scared to support any and all parts of the campus.” 

When Ramirez was asked about her priorities during her first year should she become the new 

RCC president, she said one of the big challenges she would focus on is shortening the time it takes students to complete their education.

She said her approach to the challenge would be all hands-on deck.

She also said she would first get to know the campus by meeting people across divisions and departments as well as programs and disciplines Ramirez said she would then bring people from across campus to the table to identify what the college has been doing well and what they need to do more of to better support students in their educational pursuits.

In her closing remarks, Ramirez thanked the attendees for the opportunity to be there and to introduce herself to the community. Speaking from experience as a daughter of first-generation immigrants, she said she understands the obstacles faced by students and faculty members in educational systems.