Benjamin T. Duran is a highly respected higher education leader, teacher and former president of Merced Community College in California. He recently retired as superintendent/president of the Merced Community College District after serving 22 years in the district with the last 14 years as the CEO. He is a faculty member in theEducation Doctoral program at California State University, Stanislaus. During his tenure at Merced College, he served on various statewide committees and was appointed by Chancellor Jack Scott to serve on the California Community Colleges Student Success Task Force. He also served as President of the Community College CEO Board and chaired the Community Colleges Economic Development Advisory Committee.