July 13, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOS ANGELES – July 13, 2023 – The board of the African American Male Education Network & Development (A2MEND) organization is proud to announce that Dr. Amanuel Gebru has been selected as the next president of Los Angeles City College (LACC). He will begin his new role at the oldest of the Los Angeles Community Colleges in August.
Dr. Gebru currently served as the president of A 2MEND, which is a non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure the interest and success of African American students, faculty, staff, and administrators at California’s community colleges. During his tenure as president, executive director, and board member of A 2MEND, he has helped to secure several millions of dollars in grant funding and unrestricted funds to carry out the organization’s mission.
A2MEND has collaborated and built partnerships with funders such as the Ballmer Group, College Future’s Foundation, RSS Consulting, CREAL, and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO). The organization has also provided over $1 million in direct student aid, educational cultural excursions, and mentorship that has yielded successful transfer and graduation rates among African American male students. Known as a galvanizing and collaborative leader, Dr. Gebru also oversaw the elevation of A2MEND international and global outreach with its cultural excursion program and study abroad to Africa, both for students and professionals. Both personally and professionally, Dr. Gebru is committed to building relationships, identifying resource needs, and securing partnerships that will help to sustain the college’s mission. His term as A2MEND president ended on July 1.
Dr. Gebru’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility is widespread. The announcement of his presidency was met with overwhelming support and congratulations from some of the premier equity and advocacy organizations and leaders in higher education from across the state.
“The Faculty Association of California Community Colleges (FACCC) is honored to extend our congratulations to Dr. Amanuel Gebru on his appointment as President of Los Angeles City College,” said Wendy Brill-Wynkoop, president of FACCC. “Through his work with the A 2MEND organization, Dr. Gebru has demonstrated exceptional leadership in uplifting, supporting, and mentoring young African American males in higher education. The outcomes of this work demonstrate that guidance and mentorship can empower marginalized students and improve student success rates. We look forward to seeing the positive impact he will have on the college and the wider community it serves.”
“On behalf of Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE), I extend congratulations to our colleague and equity champion, Dr. Amanuel Gebru, on his selection as Los Angeles City College’s next permanent president,” said Dr. Rowena M. Tomaneng, president of APAHE and San José City College. “We have long been inspired by Dr. Gebru’s dedication and commitment to increasing higher education access and student success for men of color, particularly African American and Latinx men, two student populations that significantly declined in enrollment across California Community Colleges during the pandemic. We also look forward to his continued leadership with A 2MEND (African American Male Education Network and Development), our COALITION partners in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism across our system.”
“We’re so proud of Dr. Amanuel Gebru selected as the new president of Los Angeles City College,” said Dr. Cynthia Olivo, president of COLEGAS and Fullerton College. “We have known and worked with him for many years in different leadership capacities from student services to instructional dean to executive leadership in community colleges. He is a trusted leader, a champion for social justice and liberation, and Dr. Gebru is the leader the community deserves, who will ensure student needs are central to the daily business of the college. As a leader in A2MEND, a member of The Coalition, we are so overjoyed about Amanuel starting his new presidency. Felicidades!”
“Dr. Gebru represents the new type of leadership that our system needs,” said Dr. Edward Bush, president of Cosumnes River College and co-founder of A2MEND. “Dr. Gebru is an inclusive, unapologetic leader who is laser-focused on creating an equitable and just learning environment for students and employees. I am excited to witness the powerful innovative work that will emerge out of LACC under Dr. Gebru’s leadership.”
“To me Dr. Gebru has been both a big brother and father figure as my mentor since 2017,” said Amman Asfaw, A 2MEND scholar and graduate. “He’s relatable and honest like a big brother would be but yet wise and guiding like a father should be. I especially appreciate how he leads by example and in his actions. I hope students and faculty at LACC will get the chance to benefit from his leadership!”
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The African American Male Education Network & Development (A2MEND) organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit led by African American male educators who utilize their scholarly and professional expertise to foster institutional change within California’s community college system to increase success of African American male students. Since establishing the organization in 2006, A2MEND has served as the premiere nonprofit solely focused on addressing the lack of educational success for African American male students in community colleges.