The Dr. Ted Martinez Jr. NCCHC Leadership Fellows Program
Confidence, Clarity, Comunidad.
The NCCHC Leadership Fellows Program prepares rising community college leaders to lead with clarity, confidence, and conviction in complex institutional environments.
Through reflection, real-world application, and a national network of peers and mentors, Fellows strengthen how they think, decide, and lead at the highest levels.
“I am leaving with a family who understands.”
2026 NCCHC LFP application deadline is May 18, 2026. Preference will be given to applicants who submit by May 1.
A Leadership Experience Built for Real-World Impact
The NCCHC Leadership Fellows Program is a national leadership development experience for community college professionals ready to grow into senior and executive roles.
Fellows engage in:
- Real-world leadership challenges and case studies
- Candid conversations with executive leaders
- Identity-centered leadership development
- Peer learning grounded in trust and community (“familia”)
Rather than focusing on a single pathway, the program strengthens the skills, mindset, and judgment needed to lead effectively across roles and contexts.
What Fellows Gain
Confidence to lead in high-stakes, complex environments
Clarity in leadership identity, values, and decision-making
Stronger ability to navigate ambiguity, conflict, and institutional dynamics
A deeper understanding of how leadership operates in practice—not just in theory
A national network of peers and mentors that extends beyond the program
Why The Program Stands Out
The NCCHC Fellows Program is intentionally designed to reflect how leadership actually works in real institutional settings.
- Grounded in real experience
Learn from leaders navigating complex challenges in real time - Built for complexity
Engage scenarios where there is no single right answer - Centered on identity and community
Leadership development rooted in lived experience and culture - Driven by trust and belonging
A strong sense of “familia” creates space for honest dialogue - Focused on leadership in practice
Fellows leave better equipped to lead—not just prepared to pursue a title
“They pulled back the curtain on what these roles truly demand… including the impact on family and well-being.”
Program Structure
The program includes multiple in-person residencies and ongoing engagement designed to support Fellows’ growth over time.
Each residency integrates:
- Reflection
Leadership identity and self-assessment - Dialogue
Peer learning and shared experience - Application
Case studies and real-world scenarios
Between residencies, Fellows continue to build relationships and deepen their leadership practice through ongoing connection and support.
What Fellows Are Saying
Leadership is not about having all the answers.
It’s about being prepared to lead when the answers aren’t clear.
Ready to take the next steps in your leadership journey?
About the Director
Dr. Raúl Rodríguez is a seasoned educator who has received numerous awards and recognitions during his long career in education. He served as a community college CEO (president or chancellor) in the California community college system for 28 years. Among his previous positions, he was the Chancellor of the Rancho Santiago Community College District, the Superintendent/President of San Joaquin Delta College, and the President of Los Medanos College. He also held the positions of Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dean of Instruction, Dean of Instructional Resources, and Director of Institutional Research. Dr. Rodríguez taught psychology at both the community college and university levels.
Dr. Rodríguez received his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He also possesses a Master’s Degree in School and Applied Psychology from Fairfield University and a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Studies from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. During his graduate studies, Dr. Rodriguez was awarded a Fullbright Research Fellowship to the Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City and a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) at the University of California, San Francisco.
Dr. Rodríguez has been involved in many professional and civic organizations over the years. He is currently the Vice President of Membership and Family Engagement for the District 3 PTA in the Sacramento Region and a Staff Fellow with Wheelhouse: the Center for Community College Leadership and Research. Dr. Rodríguez previously served on numerous boards, including United Way, Goodwill, Chamber of Commerce, National Community College Hispanic Council, Chief Executive Officers of the California Community Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Los Angeles/Orange County Regional Consortium for Career & Technical Education, Workforce Development Board, Boys and Girls Club, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, and many others.
Dr. Rodríguez currently resides in the community of Fair Oaks, California with his wife and daughter.
About the Co-Director
Dr. Mayra Olivares-Urueta is the Co-Director of the Dr. Ted Martinez Jr. NCCHC Leadership Fellows Program, where she is proud to be a 2015 alumna of the program. Additionally, she serves as Founder and CEO of Raíces Leadership Collective, LLC. With a Doctorate in Higher Education, she is committed to advancing opportunities for historically underrepresented groups within the higher education landscape.
Dr. Olivares-Urueta has extensive experience in student development, having previously served as Vice President for Student Development Services at Tarrant County College, where she implemented programs that significantly improved student retention and success, including an emergency grant initiative that provided critical financial support to students in need.
An active researcher and thought leader, she has published several articles, including “From At Risk to At Promise: Fighting Fiercely for the Community College Students We Have to Safeguard the Futures They Deserve” in Teachers College Record, and “Mamis Rising: Challenging the Narrative of Who Belongs in Administration and Academia” in the Journal of Applied Research in Community Colleges. Her work emphasizes the importance of community partnerships and addressing systemic barriers faced by students.
Dr. Olivares-Urueta engages in mentoring emerging leaders in higher education and enjoys running, reading, and spending time with family and friends.