Edward J. Valeau
Senior Executive Coach
Dr. Edward J. Valeau is a highly experienced higher education executive with a career spanning over 38 years in community colleges. He served as Superintendent/President of the Hartnell Community College District in Salinas, CA, from 1995 to 2007, becoming the first African American to hold this position in the college’s century-long history. Dr. Valeau also made history as the first African American to serve as President and Dean of Instruction at the College of Alameda in the Peralta Community College District in Oakland, CA.
Throughout his career, Dr. Valeau has demonstrated expertise in various areas, including leadership, budgeting, program development and evaluation, grant writing, and organizational management. He has held administrative roles at Canada Community College, Skyline College, College of Alameda, and Hartnell Community College District, serving as President and Superintendent/President, among other positions. He also worked as an ACE Fellow at De Anza College.
During his tenure as Superintendent/President at Hartnell, Dr. Valeau led a period of renaissance for the district. His leadership efforts solidified the college’s identity as a Hispanic Serving Institution and resulted in continuous enrollment growth, academic success, and vocational achievements. He played a crucial role in developing a 10-year Educational and Facilities Masterplan, securing a community-backed bond of $131 million for the construction of state-of-the-art buildings and learning facilities.
Beyond his administrative work, Dr. Valeau has served on numerous public and private boards, including the American Association of Community Colleges, where he held the position of Chair for two national commissions. He has also founded and led several consulting companies, contributed to scholarly publications, and authored books on topics such as international education, leadership, and mentoring.
Dr. Valeau holds a doctorate from the University of California Berkeley School of Education, a master’s from California State University, Hayward, and a Bachelor of Science in English from Southern University. He has received prestigious awards and honors for his leadership, including the Harry Buttimer Award for Outstanding Leadership as a CEO in California Community Colleges.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Dr. Valeau is an international photographer who enjoys golfing, playing the Djembe Drum, and traveling with his wife, Vera Valeau. They reside in the San Francisco Bay Area.
