Dr. Joel Kinnamon
Desert Community College District Board of Trustee – Area 4
Doctorate in Higher Education
Doctoral Degree in Higher Education Administration (Ed.D.)
Master’s Degree in Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture
President Emeritus, COD
Dr. Joel Kinnamon served as Superintendent/President of College of the Desert from July 2012 to March 2021. He was honored by the Board of Trustees with the distinction as “President Emeritus” for his outstanding service.
Dr. Kinnamon’s Accomplishments as President at College of the Desert (COD)
Free Tuition for All High School Graduates
Free Bus Fare for all COD Students
Food Bank for all Food-Insecure Students
Opened the East Valley Campus in Indio
Restoration of the Hilb Library – Palm Desert Campus
New Agriculture Science, Early Childhood Education, Gymnasium, and Stagecraft Buildings – Palm Desert Campus
Big Horn Golf Club Charities Veterans Resource Center – Palm Desert Campus
Berger Faculty Innovation Center – Palm Desert Campus
Dreamers Resource Center – Palm Desert Campus
Gender and Sexual Diversity Pride Center – Palm Desert Campus
Black Student Success Center – Palm Desert Campus
Foster Youth Center – Palm Desert Campus
Dr. Joel Kinnamon Biography
Awards & Honors
Dr. Joel Kinnamon served as Superintendent/President of College of the Desert from July 2012 to March 2021. He was honored by the Board of Trustees with the distinction as “President Emeritus” for his outstanding service.
- Bellwether Legacy Award
- Student Success Award, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
- Award of Excellence – Diversity, American Association of Community Colleges
- Award of Excellence – Student Success, American Association of Community Colleges
- Innovation of the Year, League of Innovation in Community Colleges
- Aspen Prize Nominee
- Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction for Presidential Excellence, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
- Education Hall of Fame, Lifelong Dedication, Leadership and Commitment in Education, Palm Desert Rotary
- Mayor’s Award, Palm Springs Woman’s Club
- Deepest Appreciation Award, College of the Desert Public Safety Department
- Community Vision Award, Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce
- Certificate of Appreciation, California Indian Nations College
- Assembly Resolution for his visionary role, co-authored by V. Manuel Perez and Mary Hayashi
- Assembly Certificate for providing excellent post-high school education opportunities, authored by Chad Mayes
- Video: Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction
COD’s Thank You Video for Dr. Kinnamon’s Accomplishments
COD Is Back on Track
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Committee to Elect Joel Kinnamon to COD Board 2026
P.O. Box 693
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
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