Chaffey College Student Body President Named State Trustee of the Year

A California higher education caucus representing Black community college leaders has named Chaffey College Student Government President/Trustee Matthew Caddell “Student Trustee of the Year.”

The African American California Community College Trustees and Administrators organization honored Caddell for outstanding leadership, his commitment to educational equity and dedication to advancing the success of Black students, faculty and staff in the California community colleges.

Caddell, who is pursuing a mechatronics degree, expressed gratitude for the award.

“I consider it an honor advocating for more than 25,000 students at Chaffey College, but I do not do this alone. I work with California’s largest, most dedicated community college student government organization,” he said. “This award symbolizes the work we have achieved together, and the significance of student voices.”

Caucus President Crystal Jackson, representing the four-member board, said the organization proudly recognizes Caddell for transformative leadership in higher education.

“Your visionary leadership and steadfast advocacy have strengthened not only your own campus community, but also the statewide network of educators and leaders working to ensure opportunity, access, and success for all students,” Jackson said.

Caddell serves as vice chair for the Student Trustee Caucus with the California Community Colleges Student Senate. He is also a member of the Community College League of California Student Trustee Advisory Committee. Through these roles, he helps guide statewide priorities, strengthen legislative advocacy and support student trustees across 73 community college districts.

As a student ambassador for the Rising Scholars Network, he works to expand educational opportunities for justice-impacted and formerly incarcerated students through leadership development and statewide outreach.

Among his achievements as a student government leader, Caddell co-authored a successful resolution to add water bottle refilling stations throughout the community college system. He is an active member of Umoja, the African American Male Education Network and Development (A2MEND) organization and Rising Scholars at Chaffey College.

The Black Caucus will honor Caddell during the Community College League of California’s annual legislative conference in Sacramento in January.