(Santa Ana, CA)—Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) has named LaKyshia Perez, Ed.D., as Santiago Canyon College’s new director of special programs.
With 10 years of progressive responsibility in student life and leadership, outreach, recruitment, retention and academic advisement, and eight years of experience in program development, Perez will design, implement, coordinate and direct activities related to SCC’s TRIO programs including Student Support Services and Upward Bound Math and Science. She will provide daily oversight of the grant-funded initiatives, recruit and supervise staff and be responsible for the development and implementation of project goals, objectives and activities associated with program operations.
Perez has served RSCCD in various capacities for over a decade, working at Santiago Canyon College (SCC) since 2015. Most recently, she served as the SCC interim director of special programs where she performed the tasks she will take on in her new role including designing, implementing, communicating and coordinating activities with district departments, personnel, community colleges, governmental and community agencies, advisory committees and the public.
Previously, Perez was the student life and leadership coordinator at Santa Ana College (SAC). She established and managed new and existing college partnerships, coordinated student activities, facilitated student leadership training seminars, and was the advisor to the Associated Student Government and Inter-Club Council.
In 2015, Perez was a SAC Transfer Advocate nominee. In 2011, she received the Women Making a Difference Award from then California Senator Lou Correa and was honored with the Outstanding Contributions Award for Santa Ana College Upward Bound.
She currently serves on the SCC STEM Advisory Group, SCC Guardian Scholars Advisory Group, California Community Colleges Student Affairs Association and California State University, Fullerton Center for Research on Educational Access and Leadership Advisory Board.
Perez holds a doctorate in educational leadership with a community college/higher education emphasis from California State University, Long Beach, an M.S. in higher education, and a B.A. in sociology from California State University, Fullerton.
About Rancho Santiago Community College District
Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College are public community colleges of the Rancho Santiago Community College District, which serves the residents of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Santa Ana, Villa Park, and portions of Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, and Tustin.. Both colleges provide education for academic transfer and careers, courses for personal and professional development, and customized training for business and industry.
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