Finalists
After a national search that attracted a highly qualified and diverse pool of candidates, three finalists have been selected. The forums provide an opportunity for the finalists to introduce themselves, share their vision and priorities, and respond to questions gathered from the campus community, including Academic Senate, Classified Senate, Associated Students, and Management Council.
The forums were conducted in person. For those unable to attend in person, the forum was streamed live via Zoom and recorded. The recordings are posted here with the online feedback forms. A reminder email of where to find the recordings and feedback form has been sent.
Feedback will be accepted until Friday, March 28 at 5pm.
Finalist - Dr. Davin Brown
Campus Visit: Tuesday, March 18
Meet & Greet: 10:30 - 11:15 am | Building 4, Room 4-311
Afternoon Forum: 2:30 - 3:30 pm | Building 12, Farallon Room and On Zoom
Materials: Davin Brown's Forum Recording | Davin Brown's Evaluation Form
Before her role at Sacramento City College, Dr. Brown served as the Dean of Student Success at Folsom Lake College, where she played a key role in developing programs that improved student retention and achievement. Her leadership experience also includes her time as Director of Student Engagement & Outreach at Sacramento State, where she championed initiatives related to social justice, student leadership, and student basic needs. In addition to her Student Services experience, Dr. Brown has robust instructional experience having taught for Drexel University, Sacramento State University and Concordia University.
Dr. Brown holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership & Management from Drexel University, a Master's degree in Educational Administration from California State University, San Bernardino, and a Bachelor's degree in English from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Her academic journey has equipped her with a deep understanding of educational structures and the ways to effectively address systemic inequities.
Beyond her professional roles, Dr. Brown is an active community leader as well. She has served on the board of the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce, mentored emerging community college leaders through the Pipeline to Possibilities initiative and serves as a current board member for the statewide COALITION organization. Additionally, she is a proud founding member of The Queendom, an organization dedicated to holding space for Black women leaders in higher education, particularly those who are committed to navigating the challenges of systemic inequities through truth telling, spirit lifting, change making, bridge building and gap filling.
Recently identified as one of Sacramento Region’s 2025 Top 20 Black Change Makers, Dr. Brown is a third generation native San Franciscan who prides herself on being authentic, serves as member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and is the mother of one son who is a graduating senior at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA.
Finalist - Dr. Nate Carter
Campus Visit: Monday, March 17
Meet & Greet: 9:15 - 10:00 am | Building 4, Room 4-311
Afternoon Forum: 1:15 - 2:15 pm | Building 12, Farallon Room and On Zoom
Materials: Nate Carter's Forum Recording | Nate Carter's Evaluation Form
Dr. Nate Carter is a transformative higher education leader committed to institutional effectiveness, inclusion, and student success. With 20 years of experience across public universities, state education agencies, and community colleges, he has championed equity-driven initiatives that expand access to learning, foster belonging, and create lasting pathways to social and economic mobility.
As Chief Institutional Effectiveness and Inclusion Officer at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), the second-largest community college in the nation, Dr. Carter coordinates NOVA's strategic plan, various institutional partnerships, and leads the Title IX and DEI Office. A champion for affordable, high-quality education, he believes community colleges catalyze innovation, bridging individual aspirations with collective progress.
A proud product of the California community college system, Dr. Carter began his journey at Sacramento City College before earning degrees from the University of the Pacific, CSU Northridge, and Howard University. He's held faculty positions at CSU San Bernardino and NOVA, and leadership roles at the Virginia Department of Education and throughout his tenure at NOVA. Dr. Carter, a graduate of the prestigious American Council on Education (ACE) Fellows Program, exemplifies servant leadership by contributing his expertise to various local, state, and national boards dedicated to student success and community college excellence.
Finalist - Dr. Rebecca Opsata
Campus Visit: Monday, March 17
Meet & Greet: 10:30 - 11:15 am | Building 4, Intercultural Center
Afternoon Forum: 2:30 - 3:30 pm | Building 12, Farallon Room and On Zoom
Materials: Becky Opsata's Forum Recording | Becky Opsata's Evaluation Form
Dr. Rebecca Opsata has worked thirty years in higher education, first as a faculty member and then in administration. She currently serves as the Vice President of Instruction at Laney College, where she worked collaboratively on equity projects such as the Free College initiative, strategic planning, and instructional processes. Before coming to the Peralta District, Rebecca worked for fifteen years at Diablo Valley College as the Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and as a faculty member in Communication Studies. Before moving to Northen California, Rebecca taught at California State University, Northridge. At both DVC and CSUN, she coached the debate teams.
Rebecca earned a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication, a master’s degree from Kansas State University, and an undergraduate degree from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. Originally from Minnesota, Rebecca is now a committed Californian who enjoys travel in her spare time.