Dr. Joel Kinnamon
Desert Community College District Board of Trustees - Area 4
Doctorate in Higher Education
Doctoral Degree in Higher Education Administration (Ed.D.)
Master's Degree in Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture
President Emeritus, COD
Dr. Joel Kinnamon served as Superintendent/President of College of the Desert from July 2012 to March 2021. He was honored by the Board of Trustees with the distinction as "President Emeritus" for his outstanding service.
Dr. Kinnamon's Accomplishments as President at College of the Desert (COD)
Free Tuition for All High School Graduates
Free Bus Fare for all COD Students
Food Bank for all Food Insecure Students
Opened the East Valley Campus in Indio
Restoration of the Hilb Library – Palm Desert Campus
New Agriculture Science, Early Childhood Education, Gymnasium and Stagecraft Buildings – Palm Desert Campus
Big Horn Golf Club Charities Veterans Resource Center – Palm Desert Campus
Berger Faculty Innovation Center – Palm Desert Campus
Dreamers Resource Center – Palm Desert Campus
Gender and Sexual Diversity Pride Center – Palm Desert Campus
Black Student Success Center – Palm Desert Campus
Foster Youth Center – Palm Desert Campus
Awards & Honors
Dr. Joel Kinnamon served as Superintendent/President of College of the Desert from July 2012 to March 2021. He was honored by the Board of Trustees with the distinction as "President Emeritus" for his outstanding service.
- Bellwether Legacy Award
- Student Success Award, California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office
- Award of Excellence - Diversity, American Association of Community Colleges
- Award of Excellence - Student Success, American Association of Community Colleges
- Innovation of the Year, League of Innovation in Community Colleges
- Aspen Prize Nominee
- Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction for Presidential Excellence, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
- Education Hall of Fame, Lifelong Dedication, Leadership and Commitment in Education, Palm Desert Rotary
- Mayor's Award, Palm Springs Woman's Club
- Deepest Appreciation Award, College of the Desert Public Safety Department
- Community Vision Award, Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce
- Certificate of Appreciation, California Indian Nations College
- Assembly Resolution for his visionary role co-authored by V. Manuel Perez and Mary Hayashi
- Assembly Certificate for providing excellent post-high school education opportunities authored by Chad Mayes
Video: Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction
COD's Thank You Video for Dr. Kinnamon's Accomplishments
Getting COD Back on Track
7 Steps to Get COD Back on Track
1. EDUCATIONAL ACCESS, STUDENT EQUITY AND SUCCESS.
COD educates the Valley’s workforce: nurses, firefighters, EMTs, culinary chefs, hospitality professionals & so much more. As the former president, Joel implemented free tuition, free student transportation, and expanded student support services.
2. BUILD WHAT WAS PROMISED.
Three of five Board of Trustees stand in the way of more than 92,000 voters who approved Measure CC. Two of the three trustees are up for re-election including Incumbent Trustee Aurora Wilson. COD needs to build the educational facilities that were promised. Stop wasting time and millions in construction delays.
3. CHAMPION BOLD & INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS.
We have this one chance to finish the vision of providing world-class educational programs that will be unparalleled by any other community college in the Nation. Build the Accelerator Program to boost the Valley's economic development and prepare students for these innovative careers.
4. CREATE A UNIVERSITY CENTER WITH LEADING UNIVERSITY PARTNERS.
As the former president, Joel partnered COD with Cal-Poly Pomona for a bachelor’s degree program in architecture. Let’s expand degree programs with other UCs and CSUSB - Palm Desert Campus to allow students to get advanced degrees without leaving the Coachella Valley.
5. GET BACK TO TIMES OF PROSPERITY AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.
COD was the fastest growing community college in the state and the top ten in students exceeding the student success metrics. When Joel retired, COD had a $30 million financial reserve.
6. END THE COD BOARD’S DECEIT & DISINFORMATION.
Due to the Board’s deceit, delays and disinformation as reported by The Desert Sun, the public trust has been broken. Joel offers new policies towards transparency by requiring additional public hearings before major changes in master plans can occur.
7. OFFER MORE WEEKEND CLASSES.
Many students work full-time jobs and have family responsibilities at night. COD must offer more weekend classes that allow more students to enroll and get the knowledge and training they deserve.
The Promised West Valley Campus
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Committee to Elect Joel Kinnamon to COD Board 2022
P.O. Box 693
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
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Informing voters about who is the most qualified candidate to guide COD through its current crisis is crucial to the success of the students who rely on this important educational institution. When ran properly, COD literally changes the lives of its students and their families.
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“Real education should consist of drawing the goodness and the best out of our own students."
- Cesar Chavez -
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Endorsements
“I was a witness to all the growth, progress and positive energy Joel brought for our students, faculty, leadership and staff when he was at the helm… it is my honor and privilege to endorse him without hesitation to serve on the COD Board of Trustees.”
"I endorse Joel Kinnamon for Area 4 Trustee College of the Desert, Desert Community College District. As an Emeritus Professor (1990-2008) and the former Area 3 Trustee (2010-2015) I understand the critical functions COD provides to the Coachella Valley. As Vice-Chair of the Board that hired Joel as Superintendent/President, and from working closely with him as Chair I am familiar with Joel’s knowledge, experience and commitment. He is a highly respected educator and administrator in and out of California. Those qualities are critically needed at this time on the COD Board of Trustees. It is time to return the governance of the DCCD/COD to those without political agendas and ambitions (past, present and future) to someone who understands the duties of a trustee. Joel is committed to student success, expanding educational opportunities and meeting the economic and industrial needs of the Coachella Valley and will do so as Area 4 Trustee."
"Joel Kinnamon has been one of the best community college leaders in the nation, and under his leadership College of the Desert (COD) became one of the nation’s flagship community colleges. I know this because I have consulted in over 800 community colleges, written 18 books and over 200 articles on the community college system, and have been a professor of community college leadership at the University of Illinois, University of California at Berkeley, and the University of Texas-Austin."
" I support Dr. Joel Kinnamon for the DCCD Board of Trustees because I have witnessed and experienced the positive success he contributed to College of the Desert while he served as the Superintendent/President. His first hand knowledge of the College will continue to bring positive growth to current and future students in addition to implementing the desires of the local community."
"I support Dr. Kinnamon being the next Trustee because he has shown leadership that has empowered all students to reach for their goals. He has made programs which promote student and community success. He has also made positive impacting decisions that will drive the district to a better future. I believe as trustee he will be able to do the same and more."
Government Officials
- Assembly Candidate Christy Holstege
- Cathedral City Mayor Ernesto Gutierrez
- Cathedral City Councilmember Mark Carnevale
- Cathedral City Councilmember Raymond Gregory
- Cathedral City Councilmember Nancy Ross
- Coachella City Councilmember Megan Beaman Jacinto
- Coachella Valley Water District Board Member John Aguilar
- Palm Desert City Councilmember Karina Quintanilla (District 1)
- Palm Springs Mayor Lisa Middleton
- Palm Springs City Councilmember Christy Holstege
- Palm Spring City Councilmember Geoff Kors
- Former Cathedral City Mayor Kathy DeRosa
- Former Cathedral City Councilmember Shelley Kaplan
- Former Cathedral City Communications and Events Manager Chris Parman
- Former Cathedral City Parks & Community Events Commission Chair Gary Marshall
- College of the Desert Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee Board Member, Southern Coachella Valley Community Services District Board Member, and former College of the Desert Trustee Rebecca Broughton
- Former College of the Desert Trustee Mary Jane Sanchez-Fulton
- Former College of the Desert Trustee Michael O’Neil
- Former College of the Desert Student Trustee Larissa Chavez Chaidez
- Former College of the Desert Student Trustee Arturo Delgado
- Former Palm Springs Mayor Ron Oden
- Former Palm Springs City Councilmember Ginny Foat
- Former Palm Spring School Board Member James Williamson
- Palm Springs Planning Commissioner and former City Councilmember J. R. Roberts
- Palm Springs Planning Commissioner Kathy Weremiuk
- Palm Springs City Council Candidate and Human Rights Commissioner Ron deHarte
- Palm Springs Unified School Board Member Madonna Gerrell
- Palm Springs Unified School Board Member Sergio Espericueta
College Dignitaries and Faculty
- COD Foundation Board Member and Philanthropist Peggy Cravens
- College of the Desert Counselor Basil Augustine
- College of the Desert Counselor Lisa McFadden
- College of the Desert Retiree Mary Lou Garcia Marrujo
- College of the Desert Academic Senate President and Academic Dean (retired) Zerryl Becker
- College of the Desert Foundation Board and Finance Committee Member James Williams
- Higher Education Consultant and Former Community College Chancellor and President Don Berz
- League for Innovation in the Community Colleges President Emeritus Terry O’Banion
Business Leaders
- ACME House Company President Michael Flannery
- Alcazar Palm Springs Hotel General Manager Robert Hunt
- Gardner Hospitality Group CEO Chad Gardner
- Harsch Investment Properties President and Philanthropist Jordan D. Schnitzer
- Renova Energy Corporation Founder and CEO Vincent Battaglia
- Restauranteur Willie Rhine
- Stiletto Entertainment President/CEO Garry Kief
Community Leaders
- Palm Springs International Piano Competition Board Member Joe Giarusso
- CSU Palm Desert Campus Advancement Board Member and former Chairman of the Palm Springs International Airport Commission Al Jones
Organizations
- Democrats of the Desert
- Desert Stonewall Democrats
- Equality California
- LGBTQ Victory Fund
- Planned Parenthood Action Fund
- Sierra Club
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