WORCESTER – Quinsigamond Community College President Luis Pedraja will be retiring after nearly a decade in charge of the school, announcing that the 2026-2027 academic year will be his final year in the role.
“I am proud of the progress we have made together to expand access and strengthen pathways to student success,” Pedraja stated Monday, June 1 in a press release. “While this was not an easy decision, I believe it is the right time for both me and QCC as the college prepares for its next chapter and begins work on its 2027–2030 Strategic Plan. I am confident that QCC will continue to grow and deepen its impact in the coming years.”
Pedraja has been in the position since 2017 when he was hired to replace Gail Carberry, who had retired. Pedraja had been chancellor of academic affairs for the Peralta Community College District in Oakland, California.
“We are deeply grateful for President Pedraja’s leadership and lasting contributions to QCC and the broader community,” stated Linda Maykel, Quinsigamond board chair. “His commitment to 100% student success has been unwavering.”
The Board of Trustees noted that a search firm will soon be hired to determine the next president. Pedraja will remain in the position through July 2027.
Under Pedraja, the school launched new initiatives such as creating the First Generation Student Support Center to assist first-generation college students. The school also officially became designated as a Hispanic Serving Institute, a designation given to colleges that have a student body that is at least 25% Hispanic.
Pedraja was the target of a no-confidence vote by the faculty last year following a controversy related to the school choosing not to reappoint three faculty members working in administrative roles.
At Quinsigamond, Pedraja dealt with challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a rising number of students, in part due to Massachusetts making community college free for students, which led to a 22% increase in students in a year.
Pedraja has also been a featured columnist for the T&G, writing on issues impacting higher education.
