June 20, 2024

Dear Colleagues:

I am excited to announce that Christopher Dela Rosa has been selected as the district’s new vice chancellor of business services. Chris has worked in higher education for more than two decades, and I believe his extensive experience in integrated planning and budgeting, collaborative style, demonstrated dedication to professional development, and embrace of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility will serve him well at Foothill-De Anza.

Chris will begin his new role at the district on August 30, allowing him the opportunity to work with outgoing Vice Chancellor of Business Services Susan Cheu for a smooth transition. Susan is retiring after 10 years at Foothill-De Anza and 18 years as an administrator in the California Community Colleges system.

As the district’s new vice chancellor, Chris will play a key leadership role in the development of both short- and long-range strategic planning and provide oversight and leadership of the district police, accounting and payroll, environmental health and safety, purchasing, risk management, emergency operations, and budget departments as well as fiscal oversight of the bond program.

"I am honored to join Foothill-De Anza," Dela Rosa said. "This district has a reputation as a leader in educational excellence and equity and inclusion, and I look forward to contributing to the efforts to achieve access, equity and success for our students and community through the effective, sustainable and optimal use of resources.”

In his current role as vice president of administrative and technology services at Ohlone Community College District, a position he has held since 2018, Chris oversees business and fiscal services, facilities and maintenance, campus police services, purchasing and contracts, information technology services, auxiliary services, risk management, business development, facilities rentals, grants and bond management. He also serves as an advocate for community colleges in statewide roles on the Association of California Community College Administrators board and as Region 4 representative on the Association of Chief Business Officials board.

Before taking the vice president’s job, Chris served as associate vice president of IT services at Ohlone for three years. He also previously held positions as chief information officer at Santa Fe Community College in New Mexico and Harford Community College in Maryland, dean and director at the Malayan Colleges Laguna and the Mapua Institute of Technology in the Phillippines, and adjunct instructor for University of Maryland Global Campus and Harford Community College.

Chris holds a doctorate in management from the University of Phoenix and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in engineering from Mapua University in the Philippines. He also earned an executive certificate in business administration from the University of Notre Dame.

I want to thank search committee chair Jory Hadsell and search committee members Danny Acosta, Pam Grey, Robin Latta, Mallory Newell, Trena O’Connor, Kathy Perino, Raquel Puentes, Justin Schultz, Bret Watson and Erik Woodbury for bringing us such an excellent candidate.

I look forward to having Chris join the district team and hope you will join me in welcoming him to Foothill-De Anza.  

Best regards,

Lee D. Lambert, J.D.

Chancellor