Dr. Ricardo Solis began his tenure as the seventh president of the two-campus Laredo Community College District on Monday, Aug. 1.

Before joining the LCC family, Solis served as Executive Dean of Academic, Professional and Technical Education at GateWay Community College in Arizona.

He brings to LCC 20 years of experience in international trade and workforce development, including establishing partnerships with Mexico’s Ministry of Education.

Solis expressed his desire to apply his years of experience here at LCC.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know the campus community and engaging with students, faculty and staff, as well as the Laredo community. I’m not here to make any immediate changes but to see what is currently being done to assess what we can do to better serve the community,” said Solis.

Solis holds a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Business Administration degree in international management from the Monterey Institute of International Studies in California, and a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and economics from Trinity University in San Antonio.

In addition to his work at GateWay CC, Solis has worked in the Houston Community College System, at Texas State Technical College in Harlingen, McLennan Community College in Waco and the Alamo Community College District in San Antonio.

Solis follows former president Dr. Juan L. Maldonado, who retired at the end of July after 21 years of service at LCC, nine of them as president.

For more information, contact the LCC Public Relations Office at 721-5140.