Established in 1967, the 91°µÍø District provides the south Orange County area with high quality, innovative, and dynamic learning environments that inspire student success.Â
The District's colleges provide a dynamic and innovative learning environment for diverse learners of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. We promote access, success, and equity to meet students' goals of skills development, certificates, associate degrees, transfer, or personal enrichment. We contribute to the economic vitality of the region. Our vision is to be an educational leader in a changing world. In 2025, the District approved a new long-term strategic plan called "Inspire 2035" which contains clear vision, goals and a mission for the District.
Inspire 2035's District Vision
Empowering students, transforming lives, and strengthening communities through education.
District Mission
We place students at the heart of our mission, transforming their lives and nurturing creative thinkers that enhance the vitality of the communities we serve. Grounded in principles of equity, belonging, and innovation, we ensure equitable access and foster outcomes that promote economic and social mobility.
District-wide Values
- Community We foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where relationships — within our institution and beyond — are built on respect, trust, and a shared commitment to student success and community impact.
- Equity We are committed to identifying and addressing systemic barriers to ensure fair access, opportunities, and outcomes for every member of our community.
- Excellence We uphold the highest standards in teaching, learning, and service, empowering our community to reach their full potential.
- Innovation We embrace creativity, forward-thinking solutions, and continuous improvement to meet the evolving needs of our students and community.
- Belonging We cultivate a welcoming environment where every individual feels valued, respected, validated, and fully included in the life of the college.
- Student-Centered We place students at the heart of everything we do, ensuring their needs, aspirations, and voices shape our policies, practices, and programs.
- Empowerment We inspire individuals to realize their potential by providing the resources, knowledge, and support needed to achieve personal, academic, and professional success.
District Priorities
- Student Centered SOCCCD will foster an inclusive environment where students feel valued and supported.
- Equitable Access SOCCCD will ensure students have equitable access to opportunities to explore, enroll in, and succeed in their educational journeys.
- Equitable Outcomes SOCCCD will provide the support, resources, and opportunities needed for all students to achieve academic and career success.
- Economic and Social Mobility SOCCCD will advance the economic and social mobility of students.
- Community Vitality and Engagement SOCCCD will enhance community vitality and engagement.
- Workplace Culture and Growth SOCCCD will foster a safe environment where employees feel empowered, valued, and respected.
District's Research and Planning Department
Long-term and short-term planning coupled with effective decision-making is essential strategies to fulfill the District's mission. To be effective, planning requires a partnership betweem board members, faculty, staff, administrators, and students united by a shared vision of student success. To learn more about the extensive efforts at planning and decision making at the District, please visit Planning & Research.
District Services Overview
SOCCCD is comprised of , in Mission Viejo, in Irvine, and the Advanced Technology & Education Park (ATEP) in Tustin. The district covers a land area of 382 square miles, serving almost one million residents in 26 communities. SOCCCD is governed by a Board of Trustees who represent seven trustee areas.
What Does District Services Do?
District Services provides centralized administrative services to the colleges under the direction of the chancellor and includes:
Accounting
The Accounting department works in conjunction with Fiscal Services to ensure the District has a sound, healthy, and compliant fiscal climate to support our colleges, students, and community, ensuring that we are good stewards of the public funds that we receive.
Benefits
The Benefits department supports the health and financial wellness of District employees and their families by managing the District’s health and wellness plans, including employee and retiree health benefits.
Central Services
The Central Services department includes the warehouse and mailroom, and supports the District by accepting and delivering packages and mail in a timely manner, processing and loading orders, and managing warehouse inventory.
Chancellor's Office
The Chancellor's Office supports the Chancellor, who is CEO of the District and supervises the college presidents, vice chancellors, and District Services admin, and sets expectations for educational excellence, integrity, and effective operation of the colleges.
Facilities Planning
The Facilities Planning department manages all major capital outlay projects ($1.5 million and above), ensuring we meet Division of State Architect (DSA) requirements, sustainability goals, health and safety standards, and legal requirements.
Fiscal Services
The Fiscal Services department works in conjunction with Accounting to ensure the District has a sound, healthy, and compliant fiscal climate to support our colleges, students, and community, ensuring that we are good stewards of the public funds.
Human Resources
The Human Resources (HR) department is responsible for managing employee recruiting, hiring, and on-boarding. HR administers employee accommodations, maintains training, conducts employer-employee relations, handles disciplinary actions, and ensures policies and practices are in compliance.
Information Technology
The Information Technology department establishes the vision and direction for district-wide online services, products, and programs for strategic use in serving the needs of students, faculty, and staff, while assuring security, reliability and continuity of district-wide network infrastructure.
Payroll
The Payroll department processes district-wide employee paychecks, audits and adjusts retirement calculations, maintains leave balances, 403b & 457b tax deferred products, unemployment reporting and worker’s compensation adjustments, retirement counseling, and issuance of W-2 tax forms.
Procurement
The Procurement department establishes the District's purchasing policies and procedures, as well as oversees obtaining supplies and equipment, providing assistance in selecting cost effective and quality, affordable products and service vendors; and processing contracts.
Public Affairs
The Public Affairs department provides support for advancing the mission of the District and its colleges through internal and external communications, government, community, and media relations, legislative advocacy, and institutional marketing.
Research and Planning
The Research and Planning department provides data analysis and suggestions for all areas, and facilitates the strategic planning process, accreditation standards, program review and institutional effectiveness studies, grant proposals, and Educational Master Plan.
Risk Management
The Risk Management department is responsible for identifying, measuring, and assessing hazards and safety issues, and preventing property, liability, income, and personnel exposures to loss, with the goal of preserving the continued successful operations of the District.