Chris Vitelli

Chris Vitelli serves as Superintendent/President of Merced College, where he leads one of California’s most innovative and rapidly growing community colleges. With extensive executive leadership experience in higher education, he has served in senior roles including Chief Executive Officer, Chief Student Services Officer (CSSO), Chief Instructional Officer (CIO), and Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO). His career also includes leadership positions at Columbia College, the University of Florida, and Merced College.

As President, Vitelli has led transformative initiatives that have expanded student access, strengthened workforce pathways, and advanced innovation in teaching and learning. Under his leadership, the college has achieved record enrollment, expanded dual enrollment and prison education programs, increased course completion and success rates, and introduced Dreamscape Learn immersive learning technology. He has secured more than $75 million in grants, donations, and special allocations and helped build a nationally recognized AgTech and Food Systems program. Merced College has received national recognition for innovation, including honors from the League for Innovation and the prestigious Bellwether Award.

A first-generation college graduate, Vitelli holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida, a Master of Education from Harvard University, and a Doctor of Education in Innovation and Leadership from Arizona State University.