By Jorge Casuso

October 29, 2026 – The Santa Monica College (SMC) Board voted Wednesday to appoint as SMC's new superintendent/ president a top Long Beach City College (LBCC) administrator responsible for boosting the school's enrollment and erasing its deficit.

Candace D. Jones, Ed.D. -- currently vice president of administrative and business services and chief business officer at LBCC --- takes over SMC as the college struggles with a fiscal deficit of nearly $17 million that has led to 74 layoffs amid rising salaries and declining enrollment.

At LBCC, Jones, whose Doctor of Education Degree emphasizes solving real-world problems in educational leadership, is credited with "eliminating a $7 million structural deficit within her first year," SMC officials said.

She is also credited with "strategically aligning resources to support enrollment growth, resulting in the largest enrollment class in the college’s history."

Jones is expected to start no later than January 1 and will succeed Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D., who will be retiring in December after more than a decade leading the college.

At LBCC, Jones "provides executive leadership across finance, facilities and capital construction, information technology, campus safety, business operations, and student housing," SMC officials said.

"She stewards approximately $2 billion in unrestricted, restricted, capital, and bond resources, including an active capital program exceeding $750 million" and has "led major student housing initiatives and public-private partnerships that address students’ basic needs and strengthen their ability to persist and succeed."

SMC Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Sion Roy called Jones "the ideal person to lead Santa Monica College at a time when we face challenges as well as great opportunities. "

“We are thrilled that Dr. Jones has accepted our offer to be Santa Monica College’s new superintendent/president,” Roy said in a statement. “She is a passionate and inspiring leader who is committed to the success of our students, faculty, and staff."

Before assuming her current leadership role at LBCC, Jones served as assistant-superintendent and vice president of business and administrative services at Pasadena City College (PCC) and as its associate vice president of information technology services and chief technology officer.

Jones also served as senior executive director of applications and data services at the University of California, Office of the President.

A first-generation college student and UC Davis Wheelhouse Fellow, Jones earned her Ed.D. in Equity and Social Change from Saint Mary’s College of California and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in History from Pepperdine University.

"Her scholarship examines equity, belonging, institutional culture, and the ways organizational systems shape the experiences of employees and students in higher education," SMC officials said.

Jones is involved with various professional organizations and boards in leadership capacities, including as a member of the boards of the Statewide Association of Community Colleges and the Statewide Educational Wrap Up Program Joint Powers Authority, and as chief business officer representative with the Statewide Student Equity Plan Task Force.

She is also a member of the African American California Community College Trustee and Administrators Caucus, American Educational Research Association and Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, among other organizations.

“I am deeply honored by the Board of Trustees’ confidence in me and the opportunity to serve as Santa Monica College’s next superintendent/president,” Jones said in a statement.

“SMC has an extraordinary legacy of excellence as California’s leading transfer institution to the University of California, as well as in providing career and lifelong education.

“I believe great colleges are built by people who share a commitment to something larger than themselves, and I look forward to working alongside the Board of Trustees, our faculty, classified professionals and managers, administrators, students, and community partners to build upon that legacy," Jones said.

"Together, we will continue to strengthen trust, expand educational opportunity, and transform lives for generations to come!”