College District appoints vice chancellor

EL CAJON – Aimee L. Gallagher, J.D., who has served as interim Vice Chancellor of Human Resources of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District (GCCCD) for the past year, has received a permanent appointment to the position following a competitive search process. Her selection to the post, announced by Chancellor Lynn Neault, is effective Nov. 1.

Gallagher, highly respected for her thoughtful approach to problem-solving, strong organizational skills, and expertise in human resources, joined GCCCD as Interim Vice Chancellor of Human Resources in the fall of 2021. She has managed critical efforts surrounding the return to work and COVID-19 safety planning and policy development, diversity in hiring, labor negotiations, and several key Human Resources projects identified in the Institutional Effectiveness Partnership Initiative, a statewide effort aimed at advancing effective practices throughout the California Community Colleges (CCCs).

As Vice Chancellor of Human Resources, Aimee will oversee labor relations; recruitment; benefits; Title IX, the federal statute that protects people from discrimination based on gender in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance; Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Diversity initiatives; professional development; employee relations; workers’ compensation; and compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. She will lead major projects including working with District and college leadership to streamline recruitment and benefits practices.

Gallagher said one of her top goals is to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in recruitment, hiring, and employee retention. She will work closely with the district’s task force on equity employment, and campus stakeholders  to advance equal opportunity. “It’s important to our community, and it’s important to the State (of California),” Gallagher said.

Another priority will be to streamline human resources processes and procedures by taking full advantage of technology. Doing so will “really allow us to work on building relationships and customer service, and that’s why we’re here,” Gallagher said.

The new Vice Chancellor of Human Resources said she also plans to begin her permanent post by conducting a “listening tour” outside of her District office. “The purpose of that is to build relationships, and to understand where HR can best help colleges and employees,” Gallagher said.

“Aimee will be carrying out the District’s vision for Human Resources,” added Neault. “She will pave the way for the future with more efficient and effective processes, using up-to-date technology. She will also focus on implementing the Board of Trustees’ commitment to diversity in hiring and recruiting, and on recruiting and retaining top quality employees.”

Before joining GCCCD, Gallagher worked for eight years as Director of Employee Relations at San Diego Community College District (SDCCD). In that position, she oversaw employee and labor relations, as well as classification, compensation, and professional development.

Prior to her time at SDCCD, she worked for four years at the University of California, San Diego, where she served as Employee and Labor Relations Principal Specialist & Acting Director.

A graduate of Grossmont College, Gallagher holds Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctorate degrees from the University of Hawai’i. She lives in El Cajon near Valhalla High School, where her daughters attend school. Gallagher serves on the high school’s Parent Teacher Organization, and she and her daughters are involved in SPRITES, a philanthropic organization of mothers and daughters who volunteer their time and resources to San Diego County charities.

GCCCD’s two colleges are Grossmont College in El Cajon and Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego. For information about the college district, go to www.gcccd.edu.