Contact: Joan Barnes February 7, 2005 Executive Director, Public Affairs FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE & Governmental Relations Dept. Phone: (714) 480-7500 e-mail: [email protected]

Rancho Santiago CCD names Dr. Erlinda Martinez president

(Santa Ana)—Erlinda Martinez, Ed.D., has been named president of Santa Ana College. As leader of the 90-year-old institution, she will guide its development as a flagship community college in Southern California. Reporting to the community college district chancellor, her responsibilities include planning, organizing, and implementing educational policy and procedures to develop curriculum and student support services, budget management, and leading the institution’s fund development efforts. An Orange County resident, she will begin work at the college on March 14. Since 1995, Dr. Martinez has served as vice president for student services/ assistant superintendent for Cerritos College in Norwalk, California. During this period, she was instrumental in developing the college’s master plan and successful passage of a general obligation bond measure. Under her leadership, the college created a new gathering center for the campus including an amphitheater, and streamlined student registration processes. “We feel Dr. Martinez is an outstanding selection, the best choice among the high-caliber candidates we interviewed,” said Edward Hernandez, Ed.D., district chancellor. “She comes to us with outstanding praise for her work and deep experience in student services leadership and college finance,” he noted. “Santa Ana College has a long tradition of being attuned to this community and as a catalyst for its civic, social and economic development,” said Brian Conley, district board president. “The board believes President Martinez is the right leader needed to guide its continued contributions to the educational needs in our community,” he stated. Before joining Cerritos College, Dr. Martinez was administrative dean and dean of students for Mission College in Santa Clara for nine years. Prior to this, she served as director of student affairs for El Camino College in Torrance, California. (MORE) Page 2-2-2

Earning a doctorate in education from the University of Southern California, Dr. Martinez’ master’s degree in counselor education was awarded by California State University, Los Angeles. She received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of California at Riverside. Among her professional activities are membership on the Board of Governors for City University in Bellevue, Washington; and service on the legislative and finance commission for the Association of California Community College Administrators. She has been recognized for her professional and civic contributions by the National Council on Student Development and the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce. Santa Ana College, located on a 63-acre campus at 17th and Bristol, was established in 1915 as an upward extension of Santa Ana High School. It currently serves about 22,500 students, three-quarters of whom attend classes at the main campus and the balance attending courses in its satellite continuing education centers. The college is California’s second highest producer of minority graduates, ranking seventh nationally in this category. Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College are public community colleges of Rancho Santiago Community College District, which serves the residents of Anaheim Hills, Garden Grove, Irvine, Orange, Santa Ana, Tustin and Villa Park. Both colleges provide education for academic transfer and careers, courses for personal and professional development, and customized training for business and industry. -30-

Erlinda Martinez, Ed.D.