Robert Gabriner is the Director of the SF State University Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership for Community Colleges and Schools. He is also the chair of the Leadership Initiative of the Research and Planning Group which sponsors the annual Leading from the Middle Academy. Prior to coming to SF State, Dr. Gabriner was the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement and Dean of Research, Planning and Grants, at City College of San Francisco. He has been with the California community colleges for 39 years as a history instructor and administrator. During the 1980s, he was the president of the Community College Council of the California Federation of Teachers. Dr. Gabriner has been instrumental in establishing and implementing a number of statewide initiatives in California including AB 1725; the ARCC accountability system for California Community Colleges; and the current Basic Skills Initiative. Dr. Gabriner was also a member of the Student Success Task Force which was the originator of the proposals in the Student Success Act.  Dr. Gabriner’ s most recent publications include a book-length study with Dr. Norton Grubb, Basic Skills in Community Colleges, and Basic Skills as a Foundation for Student Success in California Community Colleges.