Luis Pedraja, who has led Quinsigamond Community College through nearly a decade of growth and change, announced Monday that he will retire in 2027.
Pedraja will remain president through July 31, 2027, giving the college more than a year to prepare for a leadership transition and conduct a national search for his successor.
The announcement marks the beginning of the end of a tenure that saw QCC navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, expand student support services, grow workforce partnerships and reach its highest enrollment level since 2012.
“I am proud of the progress we have made together to expand access and strengthen pathways to student success,” Pedraja said in the college’s announcement. “While this was not an easy decision, I believe it is the right time for both me and QCC as the college prepares for its next chapter and begins work on its 2027–2030 Strategic Plan. I am confident that QCC will continue to grow and deepen its impact in the coming years.”
Pedraja said he plans to retire to spend more time with family and focus on several long-planned writing projects.
Since becoming president in 2017, Pedraja has overseen a period of significant institutional change. During the pandemic, the college rapidly shifted to remote learning while maintaining academic programs, student services and workforce training initiatives.
Under his leadership, QCC established several new student-focused programs and facilities, including the Student Success Center, First Generation Center, Welcome Center, Auxilium Center for Entrepreneurship and the HomePlate Food Pantry and Resource Center. The college also expanded early college opportunities and transfer pathways while earning designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution.
College officials credited statewide initiatives such as MassEducate and MassReconnect with helping drive recent enrollment gains, which have pushed QCC’s student population to its highest level in more than a decade.
“We are deeply grateful for President Pedraja’s leadership and lasting contributions to QCC and the broader community,” QCC Board Chair Linda Maykel said in the announcement. “His commitment to 100% student success has been unwavering.”
Maykel said the college’s Board of Trustees will begin selecting a search firm in the coming weeks to launch a national search for QCC’s next president.
Pedraja is expected to remain actively involved in the transition process while continuing to lead the college through the final year of his tenure.
Have a story tip, community concern, or insight to share? Email Editor Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org.
The Worcester Guardian is a nonprofit newsroom serving Central Massachusetts. Help keep independent reporting alive by making a donation today.
