4:55 p.m.: Story updated with quote from Carlos Turner Cortez.
11:37 a.m.: Story updated to include quote from Pamela Luster.

The San Diego Community College District has chosen its four finalists to replace Constance Carroll as part of a national search for a new chancellor for the district. Carroll has served as chancellor for 17 years and is retiring in June.

The candidates will participate in open forums virtually the week of Feb. 22. Faculty, administrators, staff, students and the public are invited to participate in the event. 

Two of the finalists are local. Pamela Luster, president of San Diego Mesa College, and Carlos Turner Cortez, president of San Diego College of Continuing Education, have been chosen from within the district.

“I’m humbled,” said Turner Cortez in an interview with City Times Media. “It’s such an honor to be even considered for the possibility of following the incomparable Dr. Constance M. Carroll.”

Earlier in the day, Luster shared her reaction by direct message to City Times Media.

“I am honored to be considered to lead our wonderful district and look forward to sharing my ideas and experiences during the forums and next set of interviews,” Luster wrote.

The other two candidates are from different states. Barbara Kavalier is president of St. Charles Community College in St. Charles, Missouri and Lee Lambert is Chancellor of Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona. 

The SDCCD chancellor manages all operations in the largest district in the region with a $780 million annual budget. 

The chancellor is responsible for three community colleges, a baccalaureate program at Mesa College and the San Diego College of Continuing Education.

In addition, they make sure that the district operates in accordance with the Board of Trustees, state and federal regulations. 

For more information on the chancellor search, click here.