Heinselman Takes Helm of Community College District

James Heinselman, president of Los Angeles Harbor College in Wilmington, on Monday assumed the position of chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District.

He will facilitate the restructuring of the nation’s largest community college system during the next 18 months.

Heinselman, 62, replaces Bill Segura, who left the nine-campus community college district in December for a position as chancellor of a technical and occupational school system in Texas. Jose Robledo, a former president of Los Angeles City College, has been named interim president of Harbor College.

Heinselman has served as president of the Wilmington community college for the past 17 years. Previously, he worked as dean of instruction at Los Angeles City College and at Los Angeles Trade Technical College.

Community college district officials said Heinselman was selected as chancellor because of his experience in education. The district is aiming to reshape the curriculum and the way it allocates funding.

“Our board believes that Jim Heinselman will make an excellent chancellor,” said Althea Baker, president of the board of trustees for the district. “During his 25 years with the district he has demonstrated his commitment to our colleges and the students we serve.”