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.  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. Sandra Fowler, Vice President of Instruction (Interim)

Email Sandy Fowler— (530) 661-4222

Portrait of Dr. Sandra Fowler

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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Ariana Velasco, Vice President of Student Services (Interim)

Email Ariana Velasco — (530) 661-7759

Interim VPSS Ariana Velasco has served at WCC since 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) 661-4201

Portrait of Dr. Shannon Reed

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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Erin O’Neill, Dean of Career Education (Interim)

Email Erin O’Neill

Erin O’Neill believes in the power of career and technical education and its capacity to foster students’ aspirations and provide the foundation for fulfilling careers.  Ms. O’Neill has over 25 years in education as a teacher, K-12 building administrator, and school district administrator in Iowa and Washington.  Erin has served on local, regional, and state associations as an advocate for career and technical education.  Ms. O’Neill prioritizes collaborating with students, staff, the community, and industry partners to develop and implement high-quality programs that are responsive to the needs of the community. 

Erin started her post-secondary journey at Des Moines Area Community College.  Ms. O’Neill earned her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Specialist Degrees through Drake University in Des Moines and has completed the coursework toward her doctorate.

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Patricia Barba, Dean of Lake County Campus (Interim)

Email Patrica Barba — (707) 995-7907

Patricia Petra Barba joined Woodland Community College in 2019 and has worked on all three campuses. She comes with 23 years of experience in K12 under student services and categorical programs such as discipline, mandated attendance /truancy, McKinney-Vento, foster youth, against tobacco, early mental health, parent engagement, and dual enrollment. Patricia has worked for Woodland Joint Unified School District, Pierce Joint Unified School District, Williams Unified School District, and Colusa County Office of Education. 

Education: 

  • Associate of Science, Yuba College 
  • Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, California State University of Sacramento  
  • Master of Arts in Education, University of Phoenix 

Patricia is a first-generation college student and the first in her family to earn a master’s degree. Through her servant leadership style, Patricia enjoys supporting staff and faculty being the best version of themselves to help empower students reach their educational goal