Open Forum:
- Tuesday, November 12
- 3-4 p.m.
- Hinson Campus Center Conference Rooms A and B
Dr. Sobia Khan is a lifelong learner, a community college graduate, and a dedicated community college educator. Currently, she serves as Provost of East and Lake Nona Campuses at Valencia College, Florida, Inaugural Aspen Prize winning college for Community College Excellence serving more than 17,000 students. Previously, she served as Dean for Academic Success at San Antonio College in the Alamo Colleges District, Texas, winner of 2021 Aspen Prize. She started her educational career as a Professor of English and served as Vice President of the Faculty Association at Richland Campus, Dallas College.
Khan’s collaborative and outcomes-oriented leadership style along with her commitment to fostering community, is strengthened with student, faculty, classified professionals, community, and industry partnerships. She has been part of successful initiatives at every college geared towards meeting the goals of access, completion, and transfer for students.
Khan’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion informs her scholarship and practice. Her doctoral thesis titled, "Transnational Identity in Crisis: Self-Writings of Edward Said, Jacques Derrida, and Theresa Hak Kyung Cha" focused on diverse thinkers searching for a sense of belonging in writing and at educational institutes. Her co-edited book, "Beyond Equity at Community Colleges: Bringing Theory into Practice for Justice and Liberation " published by Routledge in June 2022 showcases equitable practices of educators across the nation.
Khan finds inspiration in the transformative power of education to change students' lives especially for those who are under-resourced and marginalized. She is frequently invited to present at conferences in the areas of leadership, innovative new programs, equity, institutional effectiveness and strategic planning, dual enrollment programs, and accreditation. Khan is a leader on multiple community and professional boards.
Khan was born in England, raised in Pakistan, a long time Texan, and is now a Florida resident. She was a parenting-student, her children are all adults now—giving her wings to fly.