Board Members
Meridith Randall Vice President
Meridith Randall
Member At-Large
Ms. Randall is the Vice President of Instruction at a mid-size southern California community college. In her experience as Vice President of Instruction at four different California community colleges, Ms. Randall has had oversight of the development and success of many dual enrollment agreements. Her passion and belief in the benefits of dual enrollment has been an ongoing aspect of her educational career. She has played a pivotal role in her current and past positions in the creation of numerous educational programs and recognizes the value of dual enrollment programs in creating equitable outcomes for students. Ms. Randall has played a critical role in the exponential growth of dual enrollment in California high schools and development of more effective practices in that area. Ms. Randall has served on numerous committees including the California Community College Chancellor’s Office Advisory Committee for Dual Enrollment.
James Espinoza President
James Espinoza
President
Mr. Espinoza, a principal of an award-winning Middle College High School in Southern California for over ten years, has served on the board of the California Coalition of Early & Middle Colleges since 2013. He is a passionate advocate of dual enrollment across the state as a key tool for helping all students, including his 90% first generation college bound scholars learn how to navigate and graduate from 4-year colleges and universities toward their career goals. He shares through dual enrollment best practices and CCEMC support how his school was able to take mid-range, underserved students and see them rank in the top 1-2% of CA high schools on state testing yearly. Awards for the school include 2021 California Distinguished School, 2020, 2019, 2017 AVID Site of Distinction, 2017 ACT College and Career Transition Award, National Blue Ribbon School, and annual recognition as one of America’s Best High Schools. In 2019, MCHS received a 6-Year Clear on WASC accreditation. Since 2010, MCHS has achieved a 100% Graduation rate, 100% A-G completion, and in 2023, 62% of scholars graduated from MCHS with their AA degree or IGETC certification. He credits his 2018 ACSA High School Principal of the Year for Region 12 to his school’s work with CCEMC and the network of dual enrollment professionals.
Dr. Sarah Ragusa Secretary
Dr. Sarah Ragusa
Secretary
Dr. Ragusa, an Assistant Superintendent in a K-12 district in Southern California, opened a Middle College high school as a counselor in 2006. That experience inspired a passion for dual enrollment which propelled her to return to that same school in 2014 to serve as principal for three years. In that time, she and her team focused on an intrusive counseling model which more than doubled the number of Associate Degree recipients at the high school within two years. Then, as an Educational Services Administrative Director for a large K-12 school district, Dr. Ragusa maintained a strong relationship with the local community college and supported a Middle College high school as well as Dual Enrollment programs at comprehensive high schools. In her current role as Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Ragusa looks for ways to expand the reach and impact of Dual Enrollment programs with the goal of exposure to college coursework for all high school students. She has been a member of the California Coalition of Early and Middle Colleges since 2014.
Dr. Erin Craig Treasurer
Dr. Erin Craig
Treasurer
Dr. Erin Craig has over 20 years of experience in teaching, leading, and operating K-12 schools and community colleges. She specializes in early and middle colleges, charter schools, instructional leadership, innovative school reform, and dual enrollment. Dr. Craig runs the Center for Innovation and Learning at Golden West College and instructs the doctoral K-12 school finance course at USC’s Rossier School of Education. She has served as a middle college high school founder, director of curriculum and instruction, principal, assistant principal, department chair, college math professor, and math teacher. Dr. Craig received her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership specializing in K-12 Urban Schools at the University of Southern California. Dr. Craig is a founding board member for CCEMC.
Hardy Brown Board Member
Staff Members
Melissa Madigan
Melissa Madigan
Melissa Madigan is our Executive Director and has almost 20 years of experience in California public schools as well as experience serving on two non-profit boards. She brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for dual enrollment as a promising and attainable educational pathway for all students. Based on her experience and skills, she is well suited to help CCEMC attain its goals, including diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) programming and outcomes. As a former teacher and principal of Ghidotti ECHS in Nevada County, Melissa not only led Ghidotti to state and national recognition as a National Blue Ribbon Exemplary High Performing School and was nominated as a TH Bell Excellence in School Leadership nominee but also created a climate of excellence, inclusivity, and community presence. Melissa says she has seen first-hand the enormous impact dual enrollment opportunities have on students, their families, and their community. It is a life-changing process. .