Please join us in welcoming Dr. Arturo Reyes to the Derivi Castellanos Architects (DCA) team! He will serve as the Director of Client Relations for Higher Education. Arturo is an expert in this field, as he’s spent the greater part of the last three decades serving as a president, vice president and dean for community college districts throughout California.
During his time at San Jose, Solano, Mendocino, Rio Hondo and Los Rios community college districts, major construction efforts were planned and built. Arturo had the opportunity to work with DCA and noticed that while some firms came with a package that they would alter to fit the district’s goals, DCA was very flexible with the planning and design phases and shaped the project together with all the constituent groups. “DCA’s approach, as I have witnessed over the last 13 years, has been to align their focus with the actual needs of the client,” says Arturo.
Throughout his career, Arturo has kept a student-centered perspective on this work, prioritizing student success in his decision making. “As a community college, your purpose is to serve the community, which includes a diverse population with different levels of education,” says Arturo. “It’s critical to provide an environment where they feel comfortable, that welcomes all students to learn. I believe that every single student who comes to college has the capacity to learn, grow and become a professional in any area they want.”
While serving as the Superintendent/President at Mendocino-Lake Community College District from 2013-2019, Arturo was involved with the opening of the new Lakeport Center, which allowed students from Lakeport and surrounding communities to receive a quality education without having to travel to the main campus in Ukiah. “That opportunity for many of the low-income students in Lake County changed the lives for them and their families, and benefited the community by raising the education and retainment level for their area,” says Arturo.
Continuing with his goal to help all students succeed, Arturo and his family created the R&M Reyes Family Foundation, which raises money through an annual golf tournament and gives scholarships to those in financial need.
The DCA team is excited to have Arturo on board, and Arturo is looking forward to building relationships with prospective clients!
