After a yearlong process, Fresno City College will finally get its new permanent president following the SCCCD Board of Trustees meeting on April 3.
One of three candidates will take up the president’s position which has been held on an interim basis since April last year.
The candidates are Arturo Reyes, currently the executive vice president of Academic and Student Affairs at Solano Community College; George Railey, the vice president of Academic Services at Chabot College; and Tony Cantu, the current interim president at Fresno City College.
 
Arturo Reyes
Reyes is a native of Vacaville, Calif. Raised by undocumented parents, he had little opportunity for education. 
Only through his passion for athletics did he find his way to college and ultimately learn the meaning of education.
   He attended Sacramento State University where he received his bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Communication.
He also holds a master’s degree in Education Administration from Sacramento State University.
“I played sports in high school. Because of that I got the opportunity to go to college,” said Reyes.
“I cherish every day I spent at the university. That passion is what drives me to be here today. It’s what drives me to be an educator, what drives me to be an administrator. It’s what drives me to work with students.”
Reyes now strives to show students how college education makes a difference in society and how it transforms lives.
For much of his life, Reyes has been an advocate for student services, supporting programs such as Moja and Puente.
“I have provided services for the community and have taken a leadership role in the community that I live in,” said Reyes.
He has also worked with the Vacaville Boys and Girls club and has served on the Vacaville public education board where he raised over $3 million.
Reyes, however, says it’s not only about creating funds but also about making sure the fundraisers are successful.
“I really engage and I fully commit to those things that are worthwhile in our community,” said Reyes.
George
Railey
On a farm in Kentucky, a young George Railey would rush home after school and assist his father.
Railey comes from a long line of sharecroppers and is also from a fairly large family.
He is the oldest grandson of 32 children. His grandmother has 20 children and his father has 12.
Railey earned his Bachelor’s degree and his master’s degree in music education from Eastern Kentucky University. He then taught in an elementary school for a year before moving on to high school where he taught instrumental music.
“I really enjoyed working with the students. I keep up with them and I know how many of them are doing. It’s really gratifying that I had a positive impact on them while I worked there,” said Railey.
After leaving the high school ranks, Railey worked as Professor of Music at Kentucky Community and Technical College in Somerset, Ky.  While there, he became dean of Humanities and Arts division, but soon left his position and came to California to work at Cosumnes River College. At Cosumnes, Railey worked as dean of Arts and Social Sciences division.
   He then served as Vice Chancellor at Yosemite District and held multiple positions at Claudia College and Modesto Junior College before landing at his current position of Vice President of Academic Services at Chabot College.
   Outside of Academics Railey is a professional musician, playing jazz and classical music. 
    “I’m gratified to be chosen as finalist at Fresno City College. I fully recognize that the decisions you make with regards to the president is a critical decision for the institution,” said Railey.
“I realize that it is tough with the reduction of classes. It means students have to go a year longer and sometimes longer. We have to work hard to eliminate as much of that as possible given the financial condition the state is in.”    

Tony Cantu
Tony Cantu has spent much of his life in the Central Valley.
Having grown up in a small community, he received a lot of support from many different people. For Cantu, the dream has always been to be involved in education somehow.
  Cantu attended California State University, Fresno where he received advanced degrees in Linguistics and ESL. He then went on to California State Long Beach where he received his degree in French.
He also completed advanced graduate courses in French and Spanish Literature at the University of California, Irvine.
  Cantu has been a part of the State Center Community College District for 23 years. He has served as the Vice President of Instruction and the Dean of Humanities at FCC. 
At Reedley College, he served as the interim President from 2003-2004.
When he is not working, Cantu is busy reading, working in the yard or enjoying a good movie.