Page 4 - De Anza College Annual Report 2024

Our Students Introducing Our New President
De Anza College President Omar Torres is a forward-thinking
educator with more than two decades of California community
college experience, including nine years in part-time and full-
time faculty positions and 14 years in progressively responsible
administrative roles.
Dr. Torres began serving as De Anza’s fifth president in January
2025, after four years as assistant superintendent/vice president
of Instruction at College of the Canyons in Southern California.
While at College of the Canyons, he oversaw the initiation of new
career technical education and apprenticeship programs and a significant expansion of dual
enrollment and noncredit courses and partnerships. He 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.
Dr. Torres has also been active in statewide education organizations, serving as president of
the California Community Colleges Chief Instructional Officers Association and as a member
of the California Community Colleges Curriculum Committee and Consultation Council,
and the Community College League of California’s Advisory Committee on Legislation.
Before becoming vice president at College of the Canyons, Dr. Torres served three years as
that college’s associate vice president of Instruction. Earlier positions include instructional
dean of the School of Mathematics, Sciences and Health Professions at College of the
Canyons, vice president of academic affairs at Santa Ana College, department chair and
tenured professor of chemistry at Moorpark College, and adjunct faculty member at Los
Angeles City College.
Dr. Torres holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Texas A&M University, a master’s
degree in chemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a doctorate in
organizational leadership from the University of La Verne.
He was selected for the De Anza position by Chancellor Lee Lambert of the Foothill-De Anza
Community College District, following a nationwide search by a committee of community
members, students, faculty members, classified professionals and administrators. His
appointment was ratified by the district Board of Trustees in January 2025.
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