Los Angeles Community College District Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez announced in an email that Aracely (Ara) Aguiar will serve as the Interim President for Pierce College starting July 1.
Aguiar is currently the Vice President of Academic Affairs at West LA College and will take over for current President Alexis Montevirgen who is stepping down at the end of this semester due to health and personal reasons.
“Ms. Aguiar is very excited to join Pierce College as Interim President and build on the college’s tradition of academic excellence,” Rodriguez wrote. “You will see her in several key meetings throughout the month of June, as she and President Montevirgen plan for a successful transition. Please join me in welcoming Ara Aguiar to the Pierce College family.”
Aguiar has served in the district for 34 years. She was also a LACCD student in 1974 where she attended LA Valley College. She would also attend LA City and West LA.
Aguiar has an Associate of Science degree in dental hygiene from West LA, a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from UCLA and a Master’s in Business Administration from Pepperdine University.
“She began her education career as a 6th grade tutor at Oxnard Street School in North Hollywood, helping Cuban immigrant students with English language communication and math,” Rodriguez wrote. “As a first-generation college attendee, immigrant and the eldest of five children, Ms. Aguiar’s family instilled the importance of education. She credits her success as a faculty and administrator in the community college system to the support she received from colleagues and mentors.”
Aguiar will be interim president until June 30, 2022.
More to follow.
