Dr. Lizette Navarette
President
Dr. Lizette Navarette is a passionate student-centered leader with nearly two decades of experience in higher education and local government. As Executive Vice Chancellor at the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, she leads the Office of Institutional Supports and Success which includes college finance, facilities planning, institutional effectiveness, and government relations. She is responsible for formulating policies that determine the distribution of over $13 billion in local assistance and capital outlay funds to the state’s 73 community college districts, professional development which advances student success, and coordinating state and federal matters for the system. From October 2022 to June 2023, Dr. Navarette served as Interim Deputy Chancellor of the California Community Colleges. She previously served as the Vice Chancellor of College Finance and Facilities Planning and was the first woman to hold that position. Navarette has also served as the Vice President of the Community College League of California, Associate Director of Regional Relations for the University of California Riverside, and as the Youth & Education Coordinator for the City of Riverside.
Dr. Navarette has an extensive history championing student success, affordability, and equitable educational opportunities for all students. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from UC Riverside, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of La Verne, and a doctorate in education from UC Davis. In 2021, Dr. Navarette earned the United Nations Global Education for All award for her research on working adult learners. Navarette is a proud first-generation graduate.
Email Lizette Navarette— (530) 661-5710
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Dr. Kathy Sorensen
Vice President of Instruction
Email Kathy Sorensen— (530) 661-4222
Kathy Sorensen brings nearly three decades of dedicated service to student success across four different institutions in three states. Her most recent role was Dean of People, Culture, and Society at American River College, where she co-led with faculty the development and implementation of Homebases, the centerpiece of the Guided Pathways framework. Additionally, Kathy has significantly contributed to dual enrollment efforts and co-chaired the professional development task force. Her experience includes positions as interim Dean of Counseling at American River College (ARC); Dean of Science, Math, and Engineering at Cosumnes River College; and Associate Dean of Business and Applied Arts at Madison Area Technical College in Wisconsin. Kathy’s career in academia began with teaching at Palo Alto College in San Antonio, Texas, an experience she credits with igniting her passion for community colleges. Her extensive leadership roles at ARC also included Academic Senator, and Academic Senate President. Kathy holds a B.S. in Biology from Baylor University, an M.S. in Biology from The University of Texas at Arlington, and a Ph.D. in Science Education from The University of Texas at Austin.
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Ariana Velasco
Vice President of Student Services
Email Ariana Velasco — (530) 661-4201
Ms. Ariana Velasco was appointed as Vice President of Student Services in October 2024. Ariana first joined WCC in 2012 and has a diverse set of Student Services experience including program development, resource allocation, categorical support programming, and overseeing core services such as Admissions & Records and Outreach & Student Engagement. As a proud first-generation college student and Woodland resident, Ariana entered higher education with a mindset of advocating for students, championing for equity, and enriching the student experience and educational opportunities for our communities.
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Santa Clara University
- Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership, California State University, Sacramento
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Dr. Shannon Reed, Dean of Arts & Sciences
Email Shannon Reed — (530) 661-5714
Dr. Reed has 30 years of experience in higher education. She has served as faculty and administration at public and private institutions across the United States.
Education:
- Bachelor of Arts in English, Earlham College
- Master of Arts in English, California State University, Sacramento
- PhD in English, University of Alabama
Dr. Reed’s publications focus on topics such as homophobia and anti-racism. She is an avid traveler but is happy to be back home in California.
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Korinda Ebenhack, Dean of Lake County Campus and Colusa Center
Email Korinda Ebenhack — (707) 995-7907
An accomplished higher education professional with 30 years of experience in student affairs across California, Oregon, and Washington state, Korinda Ebenhack has been selected as the Dean of Lake County Campus and Colusa Center. A graduate of Butte Community College, she earned her BA degree from Rice University and returned to the west coast to earn her MA from Chico State. She began her community college career as a counselor and instructor at Yuba Community College. Ebenhack has served as a senior executive for 22 years at Rogue Community College in Oregon, most recently serving as Vice President of Student Services where she led initiatives in retention strategies and streamlining the recruitment and admissions process for students. Her diverse career includes roles such as counselor, Athletic Director, ADA Compliance officer, Title IX Investigator, Club Advisor and Dean of Students.
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Dr. Sandra Fowler, Dean of Career and Technical Education
Email Sandy Fowler— (530) 661-5795
Dr. Sandra Fowler is an experienced administrator and instructor in post-secondary education. Her greatest pleasure is being able to help others reach their goals and have great outcomes. She truly believes in the potential of others and wants to help people achieve more than they ever imagined they could.
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