Merced College President Dr. Benjamin T. Duran, has been named chairman of a statewide effort to chart a new vision for student success in California’s community colleges

The Commission on the Future, a leadership panel of state educators working under the banner of the Community College League of California, will develop the “2020 Vision for Student Success,” an effort that will increase student success in achieving education and career goals.

“The process of selecting membership on the commission was much more difficult than expected,” said CCLC president Scott Lay. “We had over 130 applications of interest. I am pleased with the diversity of the commission we have assembled. Every college and district type is represented, and the perspective of every college constituency is represented.”

According to the CCLC, a study by the Public Policy Institute of California found that state employers will need 41 percent of the workforce to have college degrees by 2025. However, the study also indicates the current trend of graduates will provide only 34 percent. The Commision on the Future is tasked with bridging that gap.

“I am both honored and excited about being asked to chair this very important commission which is uniquely positioned to provide a dialogue that will convey to legislators, the community college community and the public at large, the direction that California’s community colleges should take in the future,” Dr. Duran said.

“The work of the commission becomes even more important as the Joint Legislative Committee to review the Master Plan for Higher Education begins its work,” he said. “I am also very impressed by the talented people who have been appointed to the commission.”

The Community College League of California is a nonprofit public advocacy group working on behalf of the state’s 110 community college campuses.