Winning his second statewide leadership award in less than a year, Santa Monica College Executive Vice President Randal Lawson has been named the recipient of the 2009 Leadership Award for Administrative Excellence by the Association of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA).

A 30-year veteran of the college who rose from music professor to the second-highest ranking senior administrator, Lawson receives this latest award less than a year after being named 2007-08 recipient of the Carter Doran Leadership Award, which is given by the California Community Colleges Chief Instructional Officers.

The ACCCA award honors a mid-level administrator "whose commitment to the profession stands out among peers, demonstrating creativity, innovation and commitment," according to ACCCA.

Lawson works tirelessly to improve California Community Colleges and is well respected for his contributions both at his college and at the state level, said Doug Garrison, first vice president of the ACCCA board. "In addition to serving as an important leader in the state CIO organization, he actively represents the perspective of instructional administrators in the development of policy at the state level."

Lawson was appointed Executive Vice President on Jan. 1, 2005. From 1998 through 2004 he served as Vice President of Academic Affairs. Previously, he had served in several administrative positions, including Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, Administrative Dean of Instruction, Administrative Dean of Academic Personnel, and Dean of Arts.

After joining the SMC faculty in 1979, Lawson served as Music Department Chair and was the first coordinator of the Arts Mentor Program. Elected Academic Senate President in 1987, he was also a member of the Educational Policies Committee of the Academic Senate for the California Community Colleges during that academic year.

Lawson holds a Bachelor's of Music degree from Oklahoma City University and a Master of Music degree from the University of Southern California. As a pianist, he has performed in solo and chamber music recitals throughout Southern California and has appeared as a soloist with many orchestras, including the Oklahoma City Symphony Orchestra, USC Symphony Orchestra, and SMC Symphony Orchestra.

As the college's chief instructional officer, he led in the development of the curriculum for the successful Academy of Entertainment & Technology, in the creation of the High School Dual Enrollment Program, and in facilitating significant growth in the college's general instructional program. He serves as Accreditation Liaison Officer and co-chaired the 1998 and 2004 accreditation self-study processes.

A member of the Executive Board of the California Community Colleges Chief Instructional Officers organization since 2000, Lawson served as CCCCIO President in 2002-03 and again in 2006-07. He is also a member of the ETS (Educational Testing Service) National Community College Advisory Council.