Carlos Turner Cortez
Chancellor
San Diego Community College District
Professional Bio
In 2015, Carlos O. Turner Cortez, Ph.D. was named President of the largest noncredit adult educational institution in the nation. San Diego Continuing Education (SDCE) has served San Diego since 1914 and has an annual enrollment of more than 45,000 students.
President Turner Cortez is a longtime educational leader with a strong commitment to social justice. As an educator with Teach For America he witnessed the injustice inside classrooms and saw first-hand hardships in urban communities. It was during some of these earliest years in his career that he recognized many vital needs lacking in educational process and where he discovered his true passion in leadership—specifically in leading fellow administrators through inspiration and action. He motivates and encourages educational leaders and community partners to work together on innovative approaches and programs that make the future better for students. His hope is to identify a need in urban communities and to take action that results in positive change.
President Turner Cortez is a longtime educational leader with a strong commitment to social justice. As an educator with Teach For America he witnessed the injustice inside classrooms and saw first-hand hardships in urban communities. It was during some of these earliest years in his career that he recognized many vital needs lacking in educational process and where he discovered his true passion in leadership—specifically in leading fellow administrators through inspiration and action. He motivates and encourages educational leaders and community partners to work together on innovative approaches and programs that make the future better for students. His hope is to identify a need in urban communities and to take action that results in positive change.
Organization
San Diego Community College District
United States
Individual