The Long Beach Community College District (LBCCD) Board of Trustees approved at the June 26 Board of Trustees meeting the selection of Ms. Kendra Madrid, MS as Vice President of Workforce and Economic Development, Mr. Michael Gregoryk, MS as Acting Vice President of Administrative & Business Services, and Ms. Gita Runkle, MBA as Dean of the School of Career Education for Long Beach City College (LBCC).

“We are pleased to support Dr. Muñoz’s selection of new leaders for his executive leadership team,” said LBCCD Board President Vivian Malauulu. “They each have an impressive resume, with diverse and industry strong backgrounds that will help LBCC achieve and create more opportunities for our students.”

“We were fortunate to have a very strong pool of candidates vying for these key leadership positions and I am certain that we are getting the very best to serve in these critically important positions,” said LBCCD Superintendent-President Dr. Mike Muñoz. “I am extremely grateful for the roles that their predecessors played in maintaining the forward momentum of the college as we sought to fill these positions permanently.”

Kendra Madrid comes to LBCC with a background in higher education administration and workforce development, and a commitment to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). Her journey started with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Black Studies and Women’s Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, followed by a Master of Science in Leadership and Management from the University of La Verne. As the Dean of Instructional Services and Workforce Development & Innovation at East Los Angeles College, she led initiatives to improve student outcomes through program enhancements and collaboration with faculty. Her focus on DEIA, workforce development, and economic empowerment has been evident through programs like Competency-based Education and Credit for Prior Learning, as well as curriculum innovations aligned with employer and student needs.

Michael Gregoryk comes to LBCC with over 40 years of experience serving in various leadership roles within the education and community college sectors. He is best known for his 15-year tenure as the Vice President of Administrative Services at Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC), where he made significant contributions to the college’s financial stability, campus infrastructure, and technological support systems. Beyond his professional endeavors, Gregoryk is actively involved in various community organizations, including serving as the Past President of the Regional Chamber of Commerce – San Gabriel Valley and as a Board Member of the Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center Foundation. His exceptional leadership and dedication have earned him recognition, including the prestigious Business Officer of the Year Award from the National Association of College and University Business Officers. Prior to his role at Mt. SAC, Gregoryk served as the Deputy Chancellor for the Ventura County Community College District, including a time as Interim President of Oxnard and Ventura Colleges. Gregoryk holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, Minot State University, Minot, North Dakota, and a Master’s degree in Management and Organization Development, School of Business, United States International University, San Diego, California Through his lifelong commitment to education and community service, Gregoryk continues to leave a lasting and positive impact on the institutions and communities he serves.

Gita Runkle comes to LBCC with a strong background in higher education and corporate marketing. She has dedicated over 19 years to the field, holding progressive leadership roles at institutions like Miami Dade College, Santa Monica College, and Rio Hondo College. In her previous role as the Dean of Business at Rio Hondo College, she managed academic programs in multiple career technical education departments and also held the position of Acting Dean of Arts & Cultural Programs, overseeing seven disciplines. In addition to her academic journey, Gita has over four years of corporate marketing experience, where she developed and implemented strategic marketing plans for renowned companies such as Procter & Gamble and Royal Caribbean. Ms. Runkle holds a Master’s degree in Higher Education from New York University and another in Business Administration from the University of Southern California.