Erika Endrijonas, PhD

Authentic, optimistic, and excited. A few words to describe the new Superintendent President of Pasadena City College. Dr. Endrijonas brings a new and exciting energy to the PCC campus, making a point to lend a listening ear to students, staff, and community members as the new president. With a personal mission statement of “do no harm,” Dr. Erika Endrijonas prides herself on her authentic and fair style of leadership. She’s human just like the rest of us and enjoys little details. She adds a special touch by sending her staff a personal “Happy Birthday” message on their day to let them know she is thinking of them.

That same human touch is what she wants the students at PCC to feel. “It’s our job to make sure that everybody out there believes that they belong here. It’s my job to make sure that our environment is welcoming, provides the services that students need, that the community needs, and that there is more than one way to serve our community,” says Dr. Endrijonas.

When talking about student success, she says student success means completion. Whether a student’s goal is to take one class for transfer or to graduate with an associate’s degree, she wants to make sure students are completing their goals, whatever they may be.

As the past president of LA Valley College, Dr. Endrijonas wants to use her past experience to maintain the steady course PCC already has going. As for challenges, she says, “every college has challenges, it’s how you manage them.” Dr. Endrijonas says being a good leader is all about managing your emotions. For this self-proclaimed “eternal optimist”, the glass is always half-full.