City College Trustees Opened Investigation Into Chancellor
The inquiry follows allegations that Chancellor Kimberlee Messina received unauthorized pay and stipends.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Financial Aid
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City College of San Francisco trustees have launched an investigation into Chancellor Kimberlee Messina following reports of financial misconduct. An executive assistant alerted the board to alleged unauthorized payments and potential policy violations.
Why it matters
The investigation creates new uncertainty for the college's nearly 43,000 students as it continues to face leadership instability. The school has seen 13 chancellors in the last 11 years, raising questions about how this latest inquiry will impact campus administration.
The college has cycled through 13 chancellors in the past 11 years while currently serving nearly 43,000 students. The chancellor maintains a $350,000 salary and a reported 25-day vacation balance that remains unchanged despite recent time off.
The players
Kimberlee Messina
The current chancellor of City College of San Francisco whose conduct is under board investigation.
The details
The board president notified the chancellor in a letter regarding the probe into claims including unauthorized stipends, excess salary, and mischaracterized travel expenses. Allegations also include the improper use of a college credit card and an attempted contract modification for the district's top lawyer. The chancellor, who is under a three-year contract through June 2028, has not yet publicly addressed the specific board findings.
Timeline
2017: College eliminated tuition for San Francisco residents.
August and October 2025: Chancellor took vacation days.
July 2026: Deadline for college lawyer to pass California bar.
October 1, 2026: News report on investigation.
June 2028: Chancellor's contract expiration.
Across the Bay
This investigation follows a long pattern of executive instability, marking a continuation of the leadership volatility that has plagued the district for over a decade. The institution has seen 13 chancellors in 11 years, creating a cycle of turnover that complicates long-term planning.
Students and faculty should monitor upcoming board meetings for updates on the investigation's timeline. Continued leadership changes may affect future district policies and administrative services at the campus.
The takeaway
The college's high rate of leadership turnover remains a critical issue for the campus community to watch. Residents should keep an eye on upcoming Board of Trustees agendas for public updates regarding the chancellor's status.
Further reading
For more on how administrative decisions impact campus resources, see Financial Aid.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New York Post.
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