Riverside City College Hosts “Women of Color in Administration” Panel Highlighting Leadership, Representation, and Community

Riverside City College hosted an empowering panel discussion titled “Women of Color in Administration” on March 3, 2026, in CIS-114. Held from 12 to 2 p.m., the event brought students, faculty, and staff together to engage in an important conversation centered on leadership, identity, and resilience while celebrating the contributions of women of color serving in leadership roles across the college.

The panel featured several of RCC’s distinguished leaders, including FeRita Carter, PhD, Vice President of Student Services; Kristi Woods, PhD, Vice President of Planning and Development; Mary Rankin, PsyD, LMFT, Mental Health Services Supervisor; Elia Blount, Vice President of Business Services; and Adrienne Grayson, Ed.D., Associate Dean of Educational Partnerships. Panelists shared reflections on their career journeys, the experiences that shaped their leadership styles, and the importance of mentorship, advocacy, and community within higher education.

Throughout the discussion, panelists spoke candidly about the significance of representation in leadership and the ways their personal and professional experiences inform their work in supporting students and advancing institutional progress. The conversation offered attendees valuable insight into the realities of leadership while highlighting the strength that diverse perspectives bring to higher education.

Lorena Newson, Ed.D., Dean of College Equity, Inclusion, and Engagement and Student Equity Committee Chair, emphasized the importance of creating spaces for dialogue and reflection across the campus community.

“Events like this allow us to hold space for the voices and experiences of women of color whose leadership continues to shape our institution,” Newson said. “When we create opportunities for our community to hear these stories, we affirm that representation matters and that our students deserve to see leaders who reflect the diversity, resilience, and brilliance present within our campus.”

The event also encouraged students to engage directly with college leaders, ask questions about leadership development, and explore pathways for their own professional growth. By bringing together administrators and the campus community in an open and supportive setting, the panel reinforced Riverside City College’s ongoing commitment to equity, inclusion, and student empowerment.

Riverside City College takes pride in cultivating a workforce that reflects the diversity and strength of the community it serves. Women make up 53.7 percent of the college’s workforce, contributing leadership, expertise, and vision across academic, administrative, and student support areas. This strong representation is also reflected within the college’s administrative leadership, where women from diverse backgrounds play a critical role in guiding institutional priorities, supporting student success, and shaping the future of the college. Events such as the Women of Color in Administration panel highlight the importance of recognizing these contributions while continuing to build pathways that ensure inclusive leadership and representation across the institution.

Through conversations like Women of Color in Administration, RCC continues to foster spaces that recognize leadership, celebrate diverse experiences, and inspire the next generation of leaders within the college community.