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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2026
Moorpark College Vice President John Forbes Named Aspen Rising Presidents Fellow
Forbes joins a competitive cohort of 40 community college leaders selected to prepare for the presidency
MOORPARK, Calif. (June 4, 2026) — John Forbes, vice president of academic affairs at Moorpark College, has been named one of 40 fellows in the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship, selected from a competitive pool of more than 125 candidates for the 2026-27 cohort.
The Aspen Institute’s research has shown that exceptional presidential leadership directly contributes to student success, prompting Aspen to offer the fellowship for senior community college leaders on track for the presidency. The year-long program includes training, mentoring, coaching and workshops to prepare participants for the role.
“Excellent colleges share a common trait: they are led by presidents who focus on a few transformative initiatives that extend beyond enrollment and even completion numbers…” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “I cannot wait to begin working with this impressive set of leaders.”
“Dr. John Forbes is a transformative leader who puts students first,” said Dr. Julius O. Sokenu, President of Moorpark College. “I am confident that Dr. Forbes will both contribute to and benefit from this prestigious fellowship as he leads community colleges to even greater levels of excellence and impact.”
Upon completing the fellowship, Forbes will join a network of more than 500 peers — including more than 215 sitting presidents — who are leading colleges that help more students complete their degrees, transfer to four-year institutions and secure good jobs. Fellows are selected based on their commitment to improving student success, their readiness to lead major reforms and the likelihood that they will assume a college presidency within five years. Fellows come from 20 states and a wide range of institutions — from small rural colleges to large urban campuses — bringing diverse perspectives and experiences to the fellowship.
The Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship is made possible through the generous support of the Burton Family Foundation, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, College Futures Foundation, Mellon Foundation and the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research at NC State University.
About Moorpark College
Grounded in equity, social justice, and a student’s first philosophy, Moorpark College values diverse communities. We empower learners from local, national, and global backgrounds to complete their degree, certificate, transfer, and career education goals. Through innovation and customized student support, our programs are designed to achieve equitable outcomes. Moorpark College is one of three colleges in the Ventura County Community College District and annually serves more than 14,000 students. Founded in 1967, Moorpark College is fully accredited and has the highest six-year completion rate within the California Community College System. An Aspen Institute Top 10 Finalist for 2023 and 2025, Moorpark College has also been named a 2020 Champion of Higher Education by The Campaign for College Opportunity for the Associate Degree for Transfer Pathway. It is also a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. The college’s signature career/technical programs include nursing, radiologic technology, biotechnology and journalism. The college’s America’s Teaching Zoo is the only associate degree exotic animal training program in the country. To learn more, visit MoorparkCollege.edu or follow @MoorparkCollege on social media.
About Aspen Institute
The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program aims to strengthen higher education leadership and practice to improve student outcomes—with the ultimate goal of advancing economic mobility and developing talent for the good of each individual and society as a whole. For more information, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and X.
The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.
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