A Message from the Chancellor
Dr. Julianna M. Asperin Barnes
Welcome to Inspire 2035, the 91°µÍř District’s bold and future-forward comprehensive plan which encompasses our new strategic and facilities plans. This document represents not only our vision for the next decade but also the collective wisdom and commitment of our districtwide community.
Guided by the work of the Chancellor’s Planning Commission, Inspire 2035 was developed through a deeply collaborative and inclusive process. Faculty, staff, students, trustees, and community stakeholders all played an essential role in shaping the strategic goals, priorities, and values that define this plan. The commission served as a critical forum for dialogue, alignment, and shared ownership, ensuring that the voices and experiences of our diverse district were reflected in every step.
At SOCCCD, we are united by a belief in the power of education to transform lives. Through Inspire 2035, we reaffirm our commitment to student success and equity, economic and social mobility, innovation and technology, environmental sustainability, and institutional effectiveness. These priorities position us to meet the needs of today while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this plan and who will continue to bring it to life. Together, we will lead with vision, act with purpose, and inspire a future of opportunity for all, where students are the heart of what we do and who we are.
Video Highlights of the Plan
Purpose of the Strategic and Facilities Planning Process
The Inspire 2035 Strategic and Facilities Plans align 91°µÍř District’s aspirations with the evolving needs of its students, employees, and communities. Grounded in the district’s core values—community, equity, excellence, innovation, belonging, student-centered, and empowerment—and with a strong commitment to its strategic priorities, the planning process engages diverse voices from across Irvine Valley College, Saddleback College, ATEP, district services and the broader community. This integrated, participatory, and data-informed process connects districtwide goals with physical infrastructure planning to ensure that programs, spaces, and services work together to support inclusive, high-impact learning environments where all students can thrive, achieve equitable outcomes, and access opportunities for personal, academic, and professional success.
Chancellor’s Planning Commission (CPC)
The Chancellor’s Planning Commission (CPC) serves as a strategic advisory body that supports the long-term planning efforts of the SOCCCD. Its primary role is to provide thoughtful recommendations that shape the development of district-wide plans, ensuring alignment with the District’s overarching vision, mission, and core values.
Members
Chair (1): Chancellor Julianna M. Asperin Barnes
Co-chair (1): Denice Inciong, District Director, Research, Planning and Data Management
College Presidents (2)
Dr. John Hernandez, Irvine Valley College President
Dr. Elliot Stern, Saddleback College President
Vice Chancellor, Business Services (1)
Ann-Marie Gabel, CPA
Vice Chancellor, Human Resources and Employer/Employee Relations (1)
Dr. Cindy Vyskocil
Vice Chancellor, Technology & Learning Services (1)
Dr. Christopher McDonald
Vice Presidents for Instruction, one from each college (2)
- Irvine Valley College: Rick Miranda
- Saddleback College: Tram Vo-Kumamoto
Vice Presidents for Student Services, one from each college (2)
- Irvine Valley College: Dr. Martha McDonald
- Saddleback College: Dr. Jennifer LaBounty
Vice Presidents for College Administrative Services, one from each college (2)
- Irvine Valley College: Davit Khachatryan
- Saddleback College: Rodrigo Garcia
Directors, Research, Planning, and Accreditation, one from each college (2)
- Irvine Valley College: Loris Fagioli, Ph.D.
- Saddleback College: Shouka Torabi, M.A.
Directors of College Equity, Inclusion and Access, one from each college (2)
- Irvine Valley College: Erin Pollard
- Saddleback College: Dr. Susana Castellanos
Deans, one from each college, and one classified manager from District Services (3)
- Irvine Valley College: Traci Fahimi, Dean of Social & Behavioral Sciences and Business Sciences
- Saddleback College: Karima Feldhus, Executive Dean of Extended Learning
- District Services: Medhanie Ephrem, Executive Director of Facilities Planning
Deans of Economic/Workforce Development, one from each college (2)
- Irvine Valley College: Debbie Vanschoelandt, Dean of Career and Continuing Education, IDEA, and Extended Education Administration
- Saddleback College: John Jaramillo, Dean of Economic and Workforce Advancement and School of Business and Industry
Academic Senate Presidents, one from each college (2)
- Irvine Valley College: Rebecca Beck, English as a Second Language Instructor
- Saddleback College: Dan Walsh, Geography/GIS Instructor
Faculty representatives, two from each college as appointed by Academic Senates (4)
- Irvine Valley College: Cheryl Bailey, Librarian
- Irvine Valley College: Rebecca Kaminsky, English Instructor
- Saddleback College: Claire Cesareo, Anthropology Instructor
- Saddleback College: Morgan Barrows, Anthropology Instructor
Classified Senate representatives, one from each college and District Services (3)
- Irvine Valley College: Abner Caguioa, New Media and Marketing Specialist
- Saddleback College: Erlynne Ballo, Program Student Support Specialist
- District Services: Nicole Ortega, Research and Planning Analyst
Representatives for Emerging Technologies (e.g. AI, Immersive Learning), one from each college (2)
- Irvine Valley College: Brent Warner, English as a Second Language Instructor
- Saddleback College: Kim d'Arcy, Dean of Instructional Support and Teaching Innovations
Student representatives, one from each college (2)
- Irvine Valley College: Danielle Zee, Student
- Saddleback College: Farbod Azizmalayeri, Saddleback Student
Resource Members (9)
- District Services: Letitia Clark, Chief Communications Officer
- Irvine Valley College: Diane Oaks, Executive Director of Marketing and Creative Services
- Irvine Valley College: Nicholas Wilkening, Director of Technology Services
- Irvine Valley College: Sohrab Sadjadi, Student
- Irvine Valley College: Sandy Jeffries, Office of the President
- Saddleback College: Jennie McCue, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications
- Saddleback College: Thurman Brown, Director of Technology Services and Broadcast Systems
- Saddleback College: Milad Daravan, Student
- Saddleback College: Trish Fain, Office of the President
CPC Workshops
Throughout the process, the Commission engaged in a series of facilitated workshops, working collaboratively to analyze trends, assess priorities, and imagine future possibilities. These sessions have been instrumental in guiding the planning process and helping to chart a forward-looking course for the future of SOCCCD. The Commission’s contributions have helped lay a thoughtful and inclusive foundation for strategic decision-making that will impact the District for years to come.
5-Step Planning Process
Inspire 2035 was developed through a collaborative 5- step planning process that began in September 2024 and extended through June 2025.
A summary of each of the steps is described here:
The Prepare phase established the foundation for the planning process by defining clear goals, success measures, and a project timeline.
The Engage phase expanded the work to examine broader conditions impacting the district. This included reviewing enrollment trends, student success data, external scans, and existing planning documents.
The Frame phase synthesized stakeholder feedback and data analysis into a set of draft district-wide strategic Priorities.
In the Explore phase, the district community was invited to review and contribute to the draft strategies and planning elements through a district-wide survey.
The Recommend phase focused on finalizing and vetting the plan through key governance bodies, including the CPC, college governance, Board of Trustees, and other stakeholders.
Inspire 2035 District-wide Plan
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Planning Framework
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Campus Vision Plans