Omar Torres Selected as President
Foothill-De Anza district Chancellor Lee D. Lambert released the following announcement on Nov. 27, 2024:
Dear Colleagues:
I am happy to announce that I have selected Dr. Omar Torres to serve as the fifth
president of De Anza College. My recommendation will be included on the agenda for
the December 16 Board of Trustees meeting, and, with trustees’ approval, Omar will
start in his new role on January 3.
The feedback I received following Omar’s visit to the college and the recommendations from his current and past colleagues were overwhelmingly positive. Like you, I was impressed by his passion and enthusiasm as well as his commitment to equity and student success.
Omar brings more than two decades of California community college experience to this position, including nine years in part-time and full-time faculty positions and 14 years in progressively responsible administrative roles.
In his current role as assistant superintendent/vice president of instruction at College of the Canyons, which serves more than 30,000 students per year, he has overseen the initiation of new career technical education and apprenticeship programs and a significant expansion of dual enrollment and noncredit courses and partnerships. He has also worked to boost supplemental funding, securing grants for apprenticeships, zero cost textbooks and culturally responsive pedagogy as well as a $1 million state appropriation to fund a training lab and simulation equipment for the college’s health professions programs.
Omar’s varied experiences at four different California community college districts combined with statewide roles leading the California Community Colleges Chief Instructional Officers (CCCCIO) and serving on the CCC Curriculum Committee, Consultation Council and the Community College League of California’s Advisory Committee on Legislation give him a unique grasp of the challenges and opportunities facing community colleges that will benefit De Anza now and into the future.
Visionary Leadership and Strategic Thinking
In the position announcement, we said De Anza’s next president should be a unifying leader who would articulate a clear vision and provide leadership in implementing strategic and long-range planning.
In his campus visit, Omar shared specific ideas to address De Anza’s challenges and an eagerness to explore new opportunities. He drew from direct experiences that include:
- Writing and implementing strategic plans
- Collaborating on new programs to increase enrollment and funding while meeting community needs and providing new opportunities for students
- Strategically managing budget shortfalls
- Building partnerships with legislators, community and business leaders
- Collaborating with campus constituents to support increased access to basic needs resources and student support services
- Championing professional development that empowers faculty and staff in promoting awareness and application of generative artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies
Omar’s comprehensive understanding of community colleges, forward-thinking perspective and innovative approach to education is grounded in a deep commitment to students that mirrors the college’s core values. His knowledge of state and federal education policies and broad understanding of De Anza’s mission position him to effectively advocate for the college's needs and priorities within the larger educational landscape.
Collaborative and Inclusive Approach
The job description for the president also called for a leader who would build consensus through consultation, collaboration and teamwork; exhibit transparency and courage in making difficult decisions; and be highly visible and engaged on campus and in the community.
As many of you noted in your evaluations, Omar exhibits a “servant leadership” style and is warm and genuine, qualities affirmed by his past and current colleagues. He committed to 100 days of listening during his campus visit; displayed respect, interest and focused attention during meetings with students, community members and each of our employee groups; and shared a deep understanding of and appreciation for shared governance gleaned through his decades of California community college experience.
In Omar’s role leading the CCCCIO, he has partnered with the state Chancellor’s Office, instructional leaders, and the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges on numerous initiatives, projects and presentations, working collegially to create space for the diverse voices throughout our system. At College of the Canyons, he has worked closely with internal and external stakeholders to develop new programs, pursue opportunities that increase access and meet community needs, implement initiatives and enrollment strategies, and expand support services.
Financial Acumen and Resourcefulness
We also said in the profile that we were seeking a president who could demonstrate experience managing the resources of a college and an understanding of the funding mechanism of the California Community Colleges.
During his visit, Omar offered insightful perspectives on leveraging career technical education and noncredit programs and shared a nuanced approach to dual enrollment that recognizes the unique needs of different disciplines. His acknowledgement that program viability extends beyond budget considerations, emphasizing the importance of alignment with the college's mission, reflects a thoughtful and holistic approach to decision-making.
As College of the Canyons’ vice president of instruction, he has strategically set enrollment targets under a comprehensive approach that includes developing class schedules using a Guided Pathways framework, considering the Student Centered Funding Formula, and examining student retention, success and completion rates that are disaggregated by demographics, student types and modalities.
He has been successful in attracting supplemental resources through fundraising, partnerships and state and federal grants and in weaving together revenue sources to creatively meet student needs.
Commitment to Student Success
Finally, our profile said that we were seeking a leader with a deep commitment to understanding and responding to conditions impacting student life, including advocating for and supporting undocumented students and other marginalized student populations, who would prioritize college and district values and policies in support of equity, social justice, diversity and academic excellence.
Omar’s demonstrable commitment to these ideals is evident in the actions he has taken to increase access and success for students from diverse backgrounds. For example, in his current position, he:
- Collaborated with faculty and administrative leaders to increase access to more than 200 courses through credit for prior learning across multiple disciplines, integrating Mapping Articulated Pathways to maximize opportunities for veterans and partnering with a nearby air force base on outreach
- Helped to expand zero textbook cost (ZTC) sections to approximately one-quarter of total offerings, resulting in more than $1 million in savings for students each term, and supported ZTC degree pathways across multiple disciplines
- Worked with the local high school district, division faculty, the MESA program, and grants and institutional research offices to successfully apply for and implement a $1.25 million TRIO Upward Bound grant to serve low-income, first-generation minority high school students and encourage pursuit of the STEM fields
- Applied for and implemented a $300,000 state grant in partnership with the college Curriculum Committee to support faculty in the evaluation and incorporation of culturally responsive pedagogy and andragogy practices
- Helped grow the Rising Scholars program, increasing the unduplicated headcount of justice-impacted students served annually during the last three years from 371 to more than 5,000
During his campus visit, Omar clearly articulated his commitment to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive. His emphasis on civic engagement aligns well with the college’s mission to prepare students to be engaged and responsible members of society.
In his application, Omar wrote, “De Anza College is an extraordinary institution full of hope and promise.” I could not agree more and am confident that under Omar’s leadership, that hope and promise will be fully realized.
I am sincerely grateful to everyone who took the time to share thoughts about the candidates with me.
Thanks again to the De Anza President Search Committee for your hard work and professionalism, everyone at De Anza and Central Services who had a hand in coordinating the campus visits and leading meetings with the finalists, and the Office of Communications for excellent work on the position profile, search website and open forums.
A special thanks once again to Christina Espinosa-Pieb for delaying her retirement to step into the role of interim president for a second time. She provided the college much needed stability and leadership through some important milestones, including the recent accreditation visit. I’ve enjoyed learning from her and will miss her valuable expertise and institutional knowledge.
I look forward to having Omar join the district executive leadership team. Please join me in welcoming him and supporting his success as De Anza’s next president.
Sincerely,
Lee D. Lambert, J.D.
Chancellor