SBCC Superintendent/President Named to National Commission

Santa Barbara City College Superintendent/President Dr. Andreea Serban has been appointed to the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organization) by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Currently President of the Board of Directors for the California Colleges for International Education, Dr. Serban is the only community college representative among the commission members who come from a variety of backgrounds including non-governmental organizations, federal, state and local governments, and at-large members. The U.S. Secretary of State selects members to the commission from received nominations after an extensive screening process.

The U.S. National Commission for the UNESCO is a federal advisory committee to the U.S. Department of State that supports worldwide humanitarian development and values by coordinating efforts and delivering expert advice from the federal, state and local governments and from non-governmental organizations on issues of education, science, communications and culture.

“I am very excited about being part of this commission. We are living and working in an increasingly global world. One of our goals at SBCC is to ensure that students have the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to compete in an international marketplace and as citizens of the world,” said Dr. Andreea Serban, SBCC Superintendent/President. “I believe in the core tenet that led to the formation of UNESCO after World War II which is that collaboration among nations through education, science and culture remains a cornerstone of a peaceful world. I look forward to contributing to this fundamental belief from the community college and higher education perspective.”

“I’m delighted with this appointment!” said Dr. Peter Haslund, President of the SBCC Board of Trustees. “This is a major achievement and an honor to both Dr. Serban and SBCC in that it illustrates our ongoing commitment to be a part of an educated global community.”