OCC HONORS PROGRAM - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- EOPS Counselor / Umoja Coordinator
On July 2019, Dr. Angelica Loera Suarez began serving as the 11th President of Orange Coast College (OCC). An educational leader for more than 20 years, she oversees Orange County's largest community college, which has been serving students since 1947. With a student population of more than 20,000, OCC provides exemplary programs leading to Associate degrees and certificates in more than 130 career programs. OCC is a leader in transfers to four-year institutions, a designated "Military Friendly Institution," a qualifying Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and boasts the only community college sailing and seamanship program in the state.
Before accepting the presidency at OCC, Dr. Suarez served as the Vice President for Student Affairs for the Southwestern Community College District. In this role, she was responsible for the leadership of the District's student support services and programs serving approximately 20,000 students each semester in five locations. Additional administrative experience includes serving Southwestern College as Acting Superintendent/President; Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs; and Academic Dean for the Higher Education Centers in Otay Mesa and San Ysidro. While working for City Colleges of Chicago, she served as Academic Dean at Wilbert Wright Community College. Dr. Suarez has held faculty positions in counseling at Wright College and Southwestern College.
Dr. Suarez is recognized as a collaborative leader focused on creating accessible and equitable pathways to higher education for all students. As past president of the California Community Colleges Chief Student Services Officers organization, she championed statewide reform focused on the implementation of innovative, responsive and equitable student success initiatives designed to close student educational achievement gaps. As chair of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Chief Student Services Officers, she led efforts to strengthen the pathway for students to local transfer universities.
At Southwestern College, her steadfast commitment to increasing access for all students resulted in the design of intentional pathways for students through support services inside and outside of the classroom, such as a First Year Experience Program, HSI/Title V's Doorways to the Future program, and the Student Veterans Resource Center. True to this commitment, she led efforts to build two new comprehensive education centers in the communities of Otay Mesa and San Ysidro.
Dr. Suarez' personal narrative as an immigrant and first-generation college student connects her very directly to the shared experiences of California community college students. Her collective community college experience has provided her with multiple perspectives as a former student, classified staff member, faculty member, and administrator. Her educational background includes a doctoral degree in educational leadership and policy studies from Loyola University Chicago, a master's degree in counseling psychology from California State University at Long Beach, a bachelor's degree in psychology from California State University at Long Beach, and an associate degree from East Los Angeles College.
Dr. Angelica Loera Suarez began her tenure as the 11th president of Orange Coast College (OCC) in July 2019. Dr. Suarez has been an educational leader for more than 20 years and oversees Orange County's largest community college and a leader in transfer to four-year universities across the state. Before accepting the presidency at OCC, she served as the Vice President for Student Affairs for the Southwestern Community College District (SWCCD). Prior to SWCCD, she served as Academic Dean at Wilbert Wright Community College. Dr. Suarez has held faculty positions in counseling at Wright College and Southwestern College.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Accreditation Coordinating Committee
- Institutional Effectiveness Coordinator / Co - Chair
Hi, my name is Arlene! I'm a first-generation college graduate. I graduated from Orange Coast College in the Spring of 2021 and transferred to Long Beach State University where I obtained my B.A in Human Development. Being a part of the Hub team allows me to support students from the same community that I was once a part of. I'm passionate to support students throughout their academic journey and help them succeed as great future leaders.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Accreditation Coordinating Committee
- Online Faculty Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Member of the Accreditation Coordinating Committee
- Academic Senate Representative
Job Titles:
- Vice President of the Accreditation Coordinating Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Accreditation Coordinating Committee
- Academic Senate Representative
Job Titles:
- Director of Enrollment Services
Job Titles:
- Faculty Services Specialist
Job Titles:
- Director, Accessibility Resource Center
Job Titles:
- Member of the Accreditation Coordinating Committee
- President, Classified Senate
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Global Engagement / Manager, International Admissions
Job Titles:
- Member of the Accreditation Coordinating Committee
- President, Academic Senate
Job Titles:
- Member of the Accreditation Coordinating Committee
- Curriculum Committee Chair
Job Titles:
- Faculty Services Specialist
Job Titles:
- Member of the Accreditation Coordinating Committee
- Representative
Hi! My name is Micaela (Mica) and I am excited to help you help you navigate your OCC journey! My own educational journey has had many twists and turns, so I know firsthand that our paths might not always be linear. I am passionate about supporting students and helping them navigate higher education.
Job Titles:
- International Student Services
- Student Services Specialist ( F1 Advising, Study Abroad )
Job Titles:
- Associate Dean of Global Engagement
Job Titles:
- Student Services Specialist
Job Titles:
- Member of the Accreditation Coordinating Committee
- Vice President, Administrative Services
Job Titles:
- Manager of Enrollment Services
Job Titles:
- Member of the Accreditation Coordinating Committee
- Accreditation Liaison Officer / Research, Planning & Institutional Effectiveness
Job Titles:
- Member of the Accreditation Coordinating Committee
- Acting Vice President, Instruction
Job Titles:
- Student Services Specialist - Honors
Job Titles:
- Student Services Specialist ( F - 1 Advising )