Rise and fall of Fresno-area junior college chancellor. How faculty trust was lost
When the State Center Community College District named Carole Goldsmith chancellor in November 2021, she described herself as “humbled” and “grateful.”
Four years later, 250 union members packed a meeting hall to declare they had no confidence in her leadership — hours after she announced a retirement they say came only because of the confidence vote.
SCCCD is now searching for her replacement, with the job description outlining priorities including openness to artificial intelligence, commitment to antiracist pedagogy and dedication to closing equity gaps.
Goldsmith’s trajectory from celebrated insider to embattled executive has played out in board chambers, courtrooms and union halls across Fresno County.
In a statement to The Fresno Bee for this story, Goldsmith said any leader in a public role will face criticism, but she remains focused on SCCCD’s mission during the remainder of her tenure.
“Some of it may be fair, some of it may not, and some of it simply reflects disagreement over priorities or decisions. The presence of criticism is not, by itself, a measure of leadership effectiveness. The more meaningful measure is the district’s performance, its service to students, and results achieved over time,” Goldsmith said.
A Fresno-rooted ascent
Goldsmith was 56 when she was appointed to the role at SCCCD. She had earned a bachelor’s degree from Fresno State, served 13 years at West Hills College Coalinga and led Fresno City College since August 2016. The board picked her over two outside finalists. Her contract took effect Jan. 1, 2022, placing her atop California’s fourth-largest community college district, which serves Fresno City College, Clovis, Madera and Reedley.
Early on, Goldsmith pointed to pandemic recovery, fiscal solvency and Measure C construction projects as her priorities. At the time, State Center Federation of Teachers President Keith Ford called out in an open letter that she would earn “at least $60k more annually” than her predecessor and urged better pay for adjuncts.
The cracks appear
In 2023, a Fresno City College professor and former basketball coach, Ed Madec, was arrested during his class on accusations that he had threatened students and faculty, including Goldsmith.
A judge dismissed the case in January 2025 for lack of evidence. In August 2025, however, an Office of Administrative Hearings judge affirmed SCCCD’s decision to terminate Madec for “immoral conduct, dishonesty, and evident unfitness for service” in June 2024.
In a lawsuit filed in October 2025, Madec alleges Goldsmith “abused her power” and orchestrated the false arrest in retaliation. His attorneys say a judicial finding that Madec was arrested without probable cause strengthens his claim.
SCCCD spokesperson Jill Wagner said to The Bee for this report that the district doesn’t comment on lawsuits.
The vote that broke open the discontent
By November 2025, faculty described the college as having over-centralized leadership, in ethical turmoil and having “a culture of retaliation and fear,” according to Ford, in a climate survey conducted by the State Center Federation of Teachers.
About 250 union members — more than double a quorum — attended the faculty meeting and voted unanimously for no confidence. The resolution called for Goldsmith’s immediate dismissal.
Ford cited specific grievances: an ethics complaint alleging nepotism over a $161,000 consultant Goldsmith frequently referred to as her “goddaughter,” as well as a tripling of the district’s annual legal expenses tied to lawsuits alleging retaliation, wrongful termination, discrimination and First Amendment violations.
Hours before the meeting, Goldsmith announced she would retire in September 2026. In a statement to The Bee at the time, she said her decision was made on her own terms and unrelated to union actions. Goldsmith called no-confidence votes during bargaining “symbolic, nonbinding.”
The board’s silence — and a $9,000 raise
On Dec. 2, 2025, the board called a special meeting to discuss Goldsmith’s status through retirement.
Supporters and critics packed the room.
“What faculty have been saying to you, the board, for over a year now is that we have a breakdown of participatory governance and an incredible fear of retaliation,” said Madera Community College math instructor Hillary Biehler.
After roughly 90 minutes in closed session, board members exited without Goldsmith and reported no action. Ford called the result “disappointing.”
Weeks later, the board approved a 2.3% cost-of-living adjustment for administrators, including Goldsmith. The raise, retroactive to July 1, 2025, lifted her salary by nearly $9,000 to $392,934. Wagner, the spokesperson, said such raises are typical annual adjustments tied to inflation for non-bargaining-unit employees.
What’s next for the district
Amid calls for her dismissal, Goldsmith says she is “not going anywhere yet.” In her retirement statement, she cited enrollment growth past 70,000 students, 110 added faculty, 78 added administrators and voter approval of the $698 million Measure Q bond.
“I plan to press forward, full speed, until my final day in September 2026,” Goldsmith wrote.
This story was originally published June 29, 2026 at 5:30 AM.
