New Chancellor to replace retiring Brian King July 1, 2026, pending Los Rios Board of Trustees approval
SACRAMENTO — Folsom Lake College and the broader Los Rios Community College District are preparing for a leadership transition following the announcement that Dr. Torence Powell has been selected as the district’s next chancellor.
The appointment remains contingent on completion of standard human resources processes and approval by the Los Rios Board of Trustees, which is scheduled to consider Powell’s contract at its Jan. 14, 2026 meeting. If approved, Powell is expected to officially begin his term on July 1, 2026.
Powell, who most recently served as superintendent/president of Napa Valley College since 2022, brings both professional and personal ties back to the Sacramento region and the Los Rios district. Prior to his tenure in Napa, he spent more than 12 years within Los Rios, holding a variety of roles at Cosumnes River College and at the district office, including associate vice chancellor of instruction, workforce, and economic development.
“I am honored and humbled to be selected as the next Chancellor of the Los Rios Community College District,” Powell said in the announcement. “This marks a meaningful homecoming for me, both professionally and personally. Not only did I spend more than 12 years working in Los Rios, but I am proud to say that my experience as a student at Cosumnes River College during and after high school had a profound impact on my life.”
Powell also emphasized the role the district played in shaping his educational path and family’s future. “I feel deeply connected to the students that we serve, and our mission to change the trajectory for students and entire families, as that is what CRC and Los Rios did for me and my family,” Powell said in the announcement. “I could not be prouder to return home to continue the legacy of student-centered excellence that has been the hallmark of the Los Rios Community College District for decades.”
Powell is slated to succeed Chancellor Brian King, who announced his retirement last spring and will step down effective June 30, 2026.
In a message sent to Los Rios employees and students, Board of Trustees President Kelly Wilkerson highlighted Powell’s leadership approach and longstanding connection to the district’s mission. “Dr. Powell has a deep commitment to the transformational work of our colleges and a personal connection to communities we serve,” Wilkerson wrote. “Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a collaborative leadership approach and a willingness to tackle tough issues on behalf of students.”
The Los Rios Community College District is the second-largest community college district in California, serving the greater Sacramento region. The district includes American River College, Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College, and Sacramento City College, along with six major education and outreach centers and a range of specialized workforce and economic development programs supporting regional businesses, governments, and organizations.
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