President's Profile & CV

WILLARD CLARK LEWALLEN, Ph.D.

Dr. Willard Clark Lewallen is a native Californian and a product of the California public education system where he graduated from Garey High School in Pomona. He completed a B.S. degree with honors at California State Polytechnic University at Pomona and was a member of the 1976 national championship baseball team. He was awarded a graduate teaching assistantship at Purdue University where he completed two master’s degrees. He completed a Ph.D. in education at UCLA.

From 1984-1999 Dr. Lewallen served as a faculty member and as a dean at Antelope Valley College. From 1999-2007, Dr. Lewallen served as the vice president of student services at Victor Valley College (Victorville, CA). From 2007-2012 he served as president of West Hills College (Coalinga, CA). He currently serves as the superintendent/president at Hartnell College (Salinas, CA). Additionally, since 1993 he has served as an adjunct professor in graduate studies at two universities (Chapman University and University of La Verne) where he teaches psychological assessment, statistics, and research/evaluation methods. He also has firsthand experience teaching online classes.

Dr. Lewallen’s career has been characterized by one central theme - “students first.” He firmly believes that the majority of issues, initiatives, and developments need to start with the following question... "What impact will it have on student development and success?" Questions about resources, personnel, facilities, etc. are important, but only after the “student” question.

Dr. Lewallen's record of leadership, scholarship, achievement, accomplishment, community involvement, and service is documented in his curriculum vitae which can be accessed at this  link .

Dr. Lewallen’s hobbies and interests include guitar, fitness, and backpacking. His wife of 35 years, Michele, is a health and physical education professor and they are the proud parents of Jennifer (31), Kasey (29), Parker (27), and the proud grandparents of Mina. He and Michele lead physically active lifestyles that include a commitment to physical fitness and health. They have both completed the Los Angeles Marathon twice and Michele has completed several other marathons and triathlons.