Omar Torres, Ed.D.
Dr. Omar J. Torres brings over two decades of distinguished leadership experience
within the California Community Colleges system to his role as president of De Anza
College, a position he assumed in January 2025. Throughout his 24-year tenure in higher
education, Dr. Torres has demonstrated unwavering commitment to developing transformative
instructional programs and implementing equitable support systems that serve students,
faculty, staff and the broader community.
Dr. Torres champions the transformative capacity of community colleges to break cycles of generational poverty while advancing innovative workforce development initiatives and meaningful community engagement. His leadership approach centers on creating experiential and integrated learning environments, promoting cultural responsiveness, eliminating institutional barriers, leveraging innovative technology solutions, building strategic community partnerships and overseeing successful capital improvement projects. He fosters an environment characterized by intellectual inquiry, transparent communication and mutual trust while ensuring higher education remains adaptive to evolving social, economic and workforce demands that enhance collective well-being.
Prior to his current appointment, Dr. Torres held progressive leadership positions at College of the Canyons, where he demonstrated exceptional administrative acumen and strategic vision. These included Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Instruction and Accreditation Liaison Officer, Associate Vice President of Instruction and Instructional Dean. Before transitioning to administration, he served as a tenured faculty member at Moorpark College, establishing a strong foundation in academic excellence and student-centered instruction. Dr. Torres began his higher education career in 2001 as an adjunct instructor at Los Angeles City College while concurrently serving as a high school chemistry teacher for three years, demonstrating his commitment to education across multiple academic levels.
Dr. Torres maintains significant involvement in statewide educational initiatives and professional organizations. He currently serves as the Region 4 CEO Representative on the Chief Executive Officers of the California Community Colleges (CEOCCC) board and CEOCCC representative on the Common Course Numbering statewide task force. His previous statewide leadership roles include serving as President of the California Community College Chief Instructional Officers (CCCCIO) organization, Region 6 Representative on the CCCCIO Board, and member of the Consultation Council of the California Community Colleges Curriculum Committee (5C), and the Community College League of California (CCLC) Advisory Committee on Legislation (ACL). Dr. Torres has spearheaded significant professional development initiatives, notably leading statewide training programs for deans of color and allies aspiring to chief instructional officer positions.
Beyond his educational leadership, Dr. Torres actively contributes to regional economic development and community enhancement through his service on the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce, the Krause Center for Innovation Advisory Board, the Rotary Club of Cupertino and as a board member of the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley.
Dr. Torres earned his education doctorate in Organizational Leadership from the University of La Verne, his master of science degree in Chemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles, and his bachelor of science degree in Chemistry from Texas A&M University. He is an internationally recognized co-author of two best-selling textbooks: "Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry" and "An Introduction to Physical Science," contributing to educational resources utilized by institutions worldwide and demonstrating his continued commitment to advancing educational excellence through both leadership and scholarship.
Abbreviated Biography
De Anza College President Omar Torres is a forward-thinking educator with more than two decades of California community college experience. He began serving as the fifth president of De Anza College in 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 chairperson 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.