Dr. Angelica L. Suarez
President
Orange Coast College
California
Our marketing and communications department plays an essential role in helping the community see Orange Coast College (OCC) as a place where they belong. When a student or a family encounters our college, I want them to think, “I can see myself there.” That means representing the many people, cultures, experiences and paths that make up OCC, and sharing our opportunities in ways that feel welcoming and accessible.
This is personal for me. As a first generation college student, an immigrant, and an English-language learner, I know what it means to wonder whether college is a place for you. That is why our director of marketing and communications, Juan Gutierrez, plays a valuable leadership role at the president’s cabinet table, contributing to conversations and decisions that shape the college’s direction.
Everything we do is connected to the experience we create for students, from how they first hear about OCC to the support they receive once they arrive. Our marketing and communications department brings an important voice to those decisions and helps us tell the stories of students whose lives are changed through education.
I have added my voice to the statewide conversation through service on the California Community College CEO board. I have also worked with our transfer university partners, local philanthropic organizations, and business partners to address regional needs and elevate the role community colleges play in expanding opportunity and strengthening the economic vitality of our communities.
At OCC, my focus has been on carrying forward the values of creativity, innovation and imagination that have shaped the college for 80 years. Those values come to life through academic excellence, responsive student support and award-winning programs. OCC has earned its reputation as a premier institution over many decades, and our marketing and communications department has done a stellar job of telling that story while helping our community see where we are going next.
One of my greatest champions has been my partner and husband, Omero. He has been a steady source of strength and encouragement throughout my journey. Our early experiences of resilience, courage and struggle shaped our shared commitment to community colleges. They also gave us a sense of responsibility to help open doors for people and communities who have not had the same opportunities.
The story that changed the course of my life goes back to high school. Celina Dean, the director of our career center, invited me to a presentation at my high school by the local community college. As a first-generation student, I did not yet see a clear path to college. Her invitation helped me see one. I still think about how much it mattered that she noticed me and took that step.
A Maya Angelou quote captures what those experiences have taught me: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” That is what I carry into my work. I want students to feel seen, valued and capable of a future they may not yet be able to imagine.
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PROFESSIONAL GROWTH, RESOURCES and RECOGNITION
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