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Dr. Cristobal “Cris” Valdez
President, Richland Community College
A champion of workforce and community development with a passion for equity, Cristobal “Cris” Valdez has served as the President of Richland Community College since 2016. Valdez has focused on leadership development, reinforcing academic and student affairs programs, and strengthening diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging.
Valdez serves on several local, regional and national boards including the Decatur and Macon County EDC, the Higher Education Research & Development Institute, the Illinois Manufacturing Association and the DMH Board.
Valdez earned a BA in Social Work from the University of Montana. He earned his MSW at Eastern Washington University and an EdD in Community College Leadership from Oregon State University. Valdez and his wife Robin have five adult children and three grandchildren.
Executive Leadership

Madonna Brown
Executive Administrative Assistant

Isaac Zúñiga
Executive Vice President of Academic and Student Success

Joe Feinstein
Senior Vice President of Operations and Technology

Julie Melton, CFRE
Vice President of Institutional Advancement

Sheree Zalanka
Vice President of Financial Services

Rev. Courtney Carson
Vice President of External Relations

Amy Snow
Executive Director, Human Resources

Erin Spanberger
Institutional Researcher
Administrative Leadership
- Andy Hynds, Executive Dean, Academic Services and Dean, Math & Sciences Division
- Meredith Johnson-Palmer, Executive Dean, Student Success Division
- Danielle Patricio, Dean, Liberal Arts Division
- Dr. Tasha Jones, Dean, Health Professions Division
- John Oliver, Dean, Applied Science & Technology Division
- April Ingram, Executive Director, Workforce
- Gina Taylor, Executive Director, EnRich
- Jim Getz, Commander, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center