Jill Stearns

Dr. Jill Stearns is a fourth-generation educator raised in Avenal, a small town in the Central Valley of California. Before making her way into community colleges she launched several small businesses and taught high school math and science. It was during the extended construction of a Chevron gas station, that Dr. Stearns became the education technology specialist at the West Hills Community College District. The four years in online education combined with her business experience to prepare her well for college administration. During her twelve years of service at West Hills, she held a number of advancing administrative positions including three years as chief student services officer and five years as the chief instructional officer. Her experience in the areas of accreditation, enrollment management, capital construction projects, and integrated planning prepared her well for six years of service as president of Modesto Junior College. Under Dr. Stearns transformative leadership, MJC became an Achieving the Dream institution, launched a pilot baccalaureate degree in respiratory care, was selected as eligible for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, and was one of twenty colleges in the California Guided Pathways demonstration cohort. Recognized as a 2019 UC Davis Wheelhouse Fellow, Dr. Stearns has been invited to participate in national conversations on transfer and completion with the Aspen Institute, Achieving the Dream, and Complete College America.  On July 1, 2018, Dr. Stearns became the seventh superintendent/president of Cuesta College bringing her passion for student success home to the Central Coast. Cuesta College is recognized for outstanding and recently expanded registered nursing program and the aviation maintenance technician program, both of which prepare students for jobs with family sustaining wages.