UKIAH, Calif. – The Mendocino-Lake Community College District is pleased to announce the appointment of Debra Polak as the new vice president of academic affairs.

After an extensive search, Polak was selected from a competitive pool of highly qualified candidates to provide the leadership and direction needed to strengthen the academic vision of the institution while continuing to support the district’s diverse student population.

Superintendent/President Arturo Reyes noted Polak’s higher education background has prepared her well for the challenges of her new assignment.

“Her keen understanding of the teaching-learning process and experience creating data-driven equitable learning environments will prove to be an asset for both our college and our community as we look to the future. Her strong academic background and experience as both a faculty member and dean for our institution make her an excellent fit for the vice president role. I am confident she will serve our students well and am thrilled to have her as a member of the executive leadership team at Mendocino College,” Reyes said.

Polak began her work in education 20 years ago as a part-time instructor at Diablo Valley College and UC Berkeley, where she also earned her BA in English and her MA in education.

She first came to Mendocino College in the spring of 2000 as a full-time English instructor. As an English instructor, Polak focused on developmental reading and writing classes and spent time as the Curriculum and Basic Skills Committee chair.

Fourteen years later, Polak was hired as the district’s dean of instruction. During her two years in this capacity, she led the early implementation of the Adult Education Block Grant and oversaw all non-Career Technical Education disciplines and associated faculty.

In 2016, she took over as the dean of centers, where she was responsible for overseeing all operations of the Lake, North County, and Coast Centers.

Around the same time that she assumed this new role, Polak was also appointed to acting/interim vice president of academic affairs. In this position, she has played a major role in leading the Education Master Plan, the implementation of new accreditation standards and Guided Pathways, while managing multiple deans.

Polak currently resides in Willits with her husband and daughter.