Session 3: Friday, Dec. 12, 2025
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Fireside Room
Agenda
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:45 – 9 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 9 – 9:45 a.m. | Welcome and Homework Review |
| 9:45 a.m. – noon | Government Relations Panel with Q&A
|
| noon – 1 p.m. | Lunch and Networking with Guest Presenters |
| 1 – 1:45 p.m. | Solution Team Projects Collaboration |
| 1:45 – 2 p.m. | Summary and Closing Thoughts |
Documents and Links
- David O'Brien Biography
- Dr. Linda Vazquez Biography
- Andrew Martinez Biography
- Nune Garipian Biography
- Kristal Padilla Biography
Homework Assignment:
Our next session will involve a visit to Institute for the Future. To prepare for this engaging session, all participants should have completed the
required reading.
- Navigating the Age of Chaos by Jamais Cascio, Bob Johansen, Angela Williams
About David O'Brien
Vice Chancellor of External Relations, CCC Chancellor’s Office
As Vice Chancellor of External Relations, David O’Brien oversees a division responsible for formulating and advancing the legislative agenda of the California Community Colleges and represents the Chancellor's Office before the Legislature and executive branch of the state and federal governments.
Prior to joining the State Chancellor's Office in April 2020, O’Brien was the director of government affairs for the California Student Aid Commission since October 2016, a role that placed him as the commission’s primary liaison to the state Legislature, the Governor’s Office, the California Department of Finance and other agencies on matters related to financial aid and college affordability. That made him a critical figure in the commission’s efforts to reform and expand California’s financial aid programs.
Prior to joining the Student Aid Commission, O’Brien worked for nearly five years as a legislative manager for the California Department of State Hospitals, a legislative analyst for the state Department of Mental Health and as a legislative assistant for the California Environmental Protection Agency.
David has a bachelor’s degree in political science and government from California State University, Sacramento.
About Dr. Linda Vazquez
Assistant Vice Chancellor for State/Federal Relations, CCC Chancellor’s Office
Dr. Linda Vazquez is a first-generation college student, one of six children, and a former undocumented immigrant. She currently serves as the Assistant Vice Chancellor of State and Federal Relations for the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.
Dr. Vazquez has 20 years of experience working in higher education and advocacy. In her roles at Cal State Fullerton and Rio Hondo College, she worked as community ambassador, student advisor and scholarship coordinator. She facilitated financial aid and college application workshops for students, and organized parent engagement workshops on the road to college. She has helped hundreds of students navigate the assessment, financial aid, enrollment and matriculation process.
Through these roles, she learned how complex the college-going process can be for first-generation college students, which inspired her to pursue a degree and career in education policy. Vazquez also served as Senior Public Affairs Director for the Campaign for College Opportunity, where she led cross-sector coalitions and efforts for the successful passage of several historic community college student success policies, including the Student-Centered Funding Formula, equitable placement, and funding for Dream Resource Liaisons. Now in her role as Assistant Vice Chancellor, she helps lead the state and federal legislative portfolio for the largest system of higher education in the nation.
Dr. Vazquez holds a Political Science B.A. from California State University, Fullerton, with minors in Spanish & Chicano/a Studies and an M.A. in Leadership, Policy, and Politics from Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her doctorate in Organizational Change & Leadership at the University of Southern California.
About Andrew Martinez
Senior Director of Government Relations, Community College League of California
Andrew Martinez has served as the Senior Director of Government Relations for the
League since May of 2020. As the Director, Andrew is responsible for budget and policy
analysis, strategy development, and engaging the legislature and administration on
issues critical to the community colleges. Prior to joining the League, Andrew served
as a Senior Legislative Advocate for the California State University (CSU) System.
In that capacity, he was the lead advocate before the state legislature on numerous
policy issues for the system, including labor relations,contracts, student affairs,
public safety, auxiliaries and foundations, and athletics.
Before joining the CSU, Andrew Martinez worked in the State Capitol for more than a decade. During his time in the legislature, he has worked for two Speakers of the State Assembly and the Chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Mr. Martinez is a graduate of California State University Fresno and Moorpark Community College.
About Nune Garipian
Policy and Advocate Manager, Community College League of California
Nune Garipian joined the League's Government Relations team as the Legislative Advocate
in 2021. She attended Pasadena City College, where she served as a student trustee
and was admitted into Yale University as one of four community college transfer students.
Nune earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Yale and was previously
a field representative for her local assemblymember as well as worked on various political
campaigns. Prior to joining the League, Nune served as a Senate Fellow for the Office
of Senator Scott Wiener.
About Kristal Padilla
Sr. Policy Advocate, Community College League of California
Kristal Padilla joined the League’s Government Relations team as a Legislative Advocate
in 2023. She attended De Anza College, where she advocated for student and faculty
housing and later transferred to California State University (CSU) Sacramento. Kristal
earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from CSU Sacramento and was previously
an Engrossing and Enrolling Intern with the Assembly Chief Clerk’s Office and comes
from an event planning background. Before joining the League, Kristal served as a
Senate Fellow for the Office of Senator Josh Newman.