Byron D. Clift Breland, chancellor of North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD). Dr. Breland has more than 25 years of administrative and teaching experience in higher education and served as chancellor of the San Jose – Evergreen Community College District (SJECCD) located in Silicon Valley. During the interview, Dr. Breland discusses his journey, the importance of dual credit opportunities for students, and the advantages of community college.
Dr. Breland has worked to develop innovative partnerships that provide meaningful educational and job training experiences for the diverse student populations of San Jose City College, Evergreen Valley College, the Community College Extension Center in Milpitas, and the Center for Economic Mobility. Prior to being promoted to the SJECCD chancellor position, Dr. Breland served as the president of San Jose City College (SJCC), where under his leadership, SJCC became positioned among the top institutions in the nation in career education and workforce preparation. In addition, Dr. Breland has overseen the opening of a college extension center in the city of Milpitas with a focus on dual enrollment for high school students. He was also instrumental in assisting with launching the San Jose Promise, which provides up to two years of cost-free education and breaks down financial barriers for students in the city of San Jose. Previously, Dr. Clift Breland served as associate vice president/provost at Long Beach City College’s Pacific Coast Campus; associate dean of student development at Santa Ana College; and assistant dean, director of judicial affairs at the University of California, Irvine, serving both the undergraduate and medical school campuses. In addition, he has held administrative positions at University of Southern California and University of Maryland at College Park.
