News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2020-08-10-omartorres
August 10, 2020
Chief Instructional Officer Named
Dr. Omar Torres has been named as Chief Instructional Officer at College of the Canyons.
Vacated by Dr. Jerry Buckley, who is currently President of Reedley College, the position
was recently served in an interim role by Joe Gerda who retired in June.
“I congratulate Dr. Omar Torres for his new position as Chief Instructional Officer,”
said College of the Canyons Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook. “His innovative spirit
and passion for student success combined with his ability to make the most of these
ever changing and unprecedented times is what will help College of the Canyons continue
to excel in these dynamic and pivotal times in our college’s history."
Previously the college’s Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Services,
Torres has over 18 years of faculty and administrative experiences working for the
California Community College System.
“It is both an honor and a privilege to serve beside our persevering students and
exceptional faculty, staff, administrators, and Board of Trustees as the next Chief
Instructional Officer for College of the Canyons,” said Torres. “The college has an
outstanding reputation meeting—and exceeding—the evolving instructional and workforce
needs of our community, and I look forward to partnering with our campus professionals
in our collective efforts to best support the present and future successes of our
students.”
Torres first came to COC in 2010 as an Instructional Dean for the Division of Mathematics,
Sciences, & Engineering. In 2014, Torres accepted the position of Vice President of
Academic Affairs at Santa Ana College.
He returned to COC to head the School of Mathematics, Sciences & Health Professions
as instructional dean in 2015.
In 2017, Torres became the interim Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, a
position that became permanent in 2019.
At COC, Torres has handled a breadth of academic programs and instructional support
services in the academic affairs service area. He oversaw the development of annual
class schedules using a Guided Pathways framework, enhanced opportunities for students
through concurrent and dual enrollment, and supported college initiatives such as
Cooperative Work Experience, noncredit instruction, inmate education, and public safety
training.
In addition, he served as the college’s Accreditation Liaison Officer and is an active
member of the college’s Educational Alliance, which resulted in the significant expansion
of concurrent and dual enrollment courses offered at all Hart High schools.
Prior to joining COC, Torres taught chemistry at Moorpark College and Los Angeles
City College.
Torres earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Texas A&M University, College
Station and a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of California, Los
Angeles in 2001. He holds a doctorate degree in organizational leadership from the
University of La Verne.
Torres began his new position on July 1, 2020.