🔒QCC President Luis Pedraja to retire next year

Quinsigamond Community College President Luis Pedraja is set to retire in 2027, with a search for his successor to begin in the coming weeks. Pedraja is set to retire on July 31, 2027, the Worcester-based community college announced Monday. Pedraja has led the school since 2017. He cited a desire to spend more time with his family and working on writing-related projects as his reason for retirement. "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," Pedraja said in the announcement. "I am confident that QCC will continue to grow and deepen its impact in the coming years.” The college’s board of trustees is set to begin the process of selecting a firm to lead the national search for Pedraja’s replacement. “We are deeply grateful for President Pedraja’s leadership and lasting contributions to QCC and the broader community,” Dr. Linda Maykel, QCC board chair, said in the announcement. “His commitment to 100% student success has been unwavering.” Enrollment at QCC reached its highest levels since 2012, with about 9,000 students enrolling in the college’s fall 2025 semester. Pedraja’s annual salary is $258,138, according to state government records. During Pedraja’s tenure, QCC expanded its community partnerships through initiatives, including the launch of the Auxilium Center for Entrepreneurship with Beverly-based Rucker Investments. In March 2025, the college launched a partnership with the City of Worcester guaranteeing admission to local students.   Pedraja was a finalist in 2023 for the presidency of College of Marin, but the public community college based in Kentfield, California, ended up choosing an internal candidate. Pedraja faced a vote of no confidence from a union representing workers at QCC in April 2025, with union members taking issue with the school’s decision not to reappoint three faculty and professional staff members who are people of color. QCC’s board of trustees remained in support of Pedraja during the dispute. In addition to his QCC role, Pedraja was appointed by Gov. Maura Healey to the New England Board of Higher Education in 2024. QCC is the second-largest higher education institution in Central Massachusetts as of fall 2024, with 4,291 full-time students and 133 full-time faculty, according to information provided to the WBJ Research Department. It trailed Worcester Polytechnic Institute, which had an enrollment of 6,375. Eric Casey is the managing editor at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the real estate and banking & finance industries.