Dr. Fred Trapp

For more than 25 years, Dr. Fred Trapp served in multiple roles at Long Beach City College (LBCC), providing exceptional leadership in institutional effectiveness, student learning outcomes assessment, and integrated planning. He oversaw the college’s institutional research program, guided the development of its student data mart and reporting tools, and led major accreditation self?studies. His work strengthened curriculum development, program review, scheduling, and enrollment management processes, and his FTES analyses and planning models became widely emulated by other colleges.

Dr. Trapp was an early statewide leader in the Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) movement. As part of the SLO Assessment Training Roadshow team in the early 2000s, he helped faculty across California understand SLOs as tools for improvement rather than compliance. His calm, clear, and respectful approach helped shape practices that remain foundational in the system today. Additionally, Dr. Trapp was very active with accreditation issues during a time when the accreditation process was particularly contentious, serving in numerous roles on behalf of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). He was a presenter at regional and national conferences, including the RP Conference, Strengthening Student Success Conference, California Association for Institutional Research (CAIR), the Academic Resource Conference (ARC), and the Assessment Forum sponsored by the American Association for Higher Education (AAHE).

Dr. Trapp’s leadership did not end when he retired from LBCC in 2007. He has served as a Senior Associate with the consulting service of Cambridge West Partnership, LLC, and has remained deeply engaged with the research and planning community. He has consulted with and supported numerous colleges in comprehensive educational, facilities, and vision planning, as well as enrollment management, accreditation preparation, and institutional effectiveness. In an informal capacity, Dr. Trapp also regularly contributes to The RP Group’s Listserv, reaches out to practitioners in need, and provides articles and reports to RP Group Board members for broader dissemination.

Perhaps Dr. Trapp’s most enduring legacy is in the many colleagues he has mentored. He is known for combining a sharp analytical mind with genuine kindness, offering thoughtful guidance, steady encouragement, and compassion when it is needed most. He has helped shape many researchers, faculty, and administrators who are leading in the research and planning field and at the colleges today.

Dr. Trapp holds both a PhD in public administration and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California, a Master of Regional and City Planning from the University of Oklahoma, a Master of Arts in political science from American University, and a Bachelor of Arts in social science from California Western University. Additionally, when he retired from the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1995, he had advanced through the ranks from enlisted Seaman Recruit to Commander.