Vice President of Student Services, Ross Miyashiro, will be retiring from El Camino College after five years on Jan. 1, 2023, according to the consent calendar during the Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 6.

“El Camino is a special place with special people,” Miyashiro said. “I’ve been in higher education 38 years and this particular institution has the best student support programs of anywhere and I spent half my career in a California State University.”

Trustee Cliff Numark praised Miyashiro for his work in Student Services.

“He’s done such a wonderful job here. Putting in scheduling software, really being an advocate for the students; so he’s definitely going to be missed,” Numark said.

President of El Camino College, Brenda Thames, also praised Miyashiro for his work and his plan to ensure a smooth transition for the next Vice President of Student Services.

“We will miss him terribly,” Thames said. “He has agreed to be here for a great transition plan, to provide continuity for Student Services and we’re always so very excited for people who end one chapter of their lives and make room for another.”

The new vice president will be chosen through a contract with PPL Pros Incorporated, the same way the Vice President of Administration Services, Robert Suppelsa, was chosen.

PPL Pros Inc. is an educational consulting firm that helps find candidates for high positions for California Community Colleges, according to its website.

It will cost at least $15,000 for PPL Pros Inc.’s services, according to the contract which also states that there will be a process of applications, committees, public forums, a meeting with President Thames and a final decision made by the hiring committee.