Saddleback College in the South Orange County Community College District is looking for a new president, and Dr. Lonita Cordova, Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Services at San Joaquin Delta College, is one of the four candidates for the position.
Cordova has served in her current role since March 1, 2021, a little more than five years. Cordova will participate in a candidate forum for the role on Monday, April 6.
Saddleback College is looking for a new president, characterized as a visionary and student-focused leader, to further its “Inspire 2035” strategic initiative, according to documentation for the role
The “Inspire 2035” initiative is a decade-long strategic and facilities framework designed to steer Saddleback College, Irvine Valley College, Advanced Technology & Education Park (ATEP), and district services toward student success, equity, economic mobility, and innovation, acting as a guide for upcoming academic and physical campus advancements.
The role oversees academic excellence and student success at the college in Mission Viejo, California. The salary is listed between approximately $264,000 and $390,000 annually.
“Dr. Lonita Cordova is an Orange County Native who attended Western High School in Buena Park,” according to her publicly published biography for the role. “She is a transformative executive leader and scholar-practitioner with over 22 years of experience spanning the California Community College system, K-12 education, and graduate-level instruction. She provides executive leadership at San Joaquin Delta College, where she aligns complex administrative operations with a human-centered mission.”
The three other finalists are Dr. Sean C. Hancock, Dr. Jeffrey N. Lamb and Dr. Martha A. McDonald.
During the South Orange County Community College District presidential search for Saddleback College, the District encourages students, faculty, staff, and community members to take part in the Finalist Forums. Cordova’s forum is April 6 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. The event is in person. No web broadcast link is listed.
