Careers in Leadership Positions

Ed.D. graduates have forged successful careers as leaders, managers and change agents in a variety of settings, and at all levels of education. Here are examples of positions that are currently or recently held by program alums:

K-12

Trudy Arriaga '93, Superintendent, Ventura Unified School District
Glen Thomas '95, Secretary of Education, State of California
Steven Fish '97, Superintendent, Saddleback Valley Unified School District
Gabriela Mafi '02, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education, Garden Grove Unified School District
Catherine Nichols '02, Superintendent, Glendora Unified School District
Edmond Heatley '03, Superintendent, Chino Valley Unified School District
Kevin Baxter '04, Superintendent of Elementary Schools, Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Lois Nash '05, Superintendent, Ukiah Unified School District
Anthony Knight '06, Superintendent, Oak Park Unified School District
Roger Rice '07, Associate Superintendent of Student Services, Ventura County Office of Education
David Cash '08, Superintendent, Claremont Unified School District
Hasmik Danielian '09, Associate Superintendent, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District
Elizabeth Blanco '09, Director of Special Education, Rowland Unified School District

Community Colleges

Bill Bonaudi '93, President, Big Bend Community College, Moses Lake, WA
Rita Cepeda, '03, President, San Diego Mesa College
Merrill Irving, Jr. '07, Chairperson, Community Education, Miami Dade Community College, Miami, FL
Rhea (Jiah) Chung '08, Associate Dean of Advancement, Community and Government Relations Los Angeles Trade-Technical College
Albert Vasquez '09, Dean, Campus Security, Student Health, and Safety; Chief of Police Santa Monica College

Four Year Colleges and Universities

Lt. Gen. Frances Wilson '80, USMC, President, National Defense University, Washington, DC
Larry Calderon '98, Vice President, Community and Government Affairs and Professor, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (formerly President, Broward Community College)
Jim Adams '02, Professor and Executive Director, Center for Global Learning and Engagement, Azusa Pacific University
Mirasol Espanola '04, Dean, Academic Advising, Revelle College at the University of California, San Diego
Mary Oling-Sisay '05, Vice-President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, St. Norbert College, De Pere, MN
Kevin Colaner '06, Associate Vice President for Student Services, California Polytechnic State University, Pomona
Laurie Cox '06, Director, International Student Services, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Carlos Cervantes '08, Associate Dean of Retention and Academic Advising, University of La Verne

Lifetime Career Support

The Rossier Career Center provides Ed.D. students and alumni with guidance, support and tools necessary for career planning and professional development. These services include workshops, individual consultations, job search planning and execution, "placement" file maintenance and transmittal interviewing, resume, CV and cover letter writing.

Supportive Trojan Alumni Network

USC is world renowned for its network of loyal and dedicated alumni. Trojans embody a special sense of giving back by supporting one another. Within the Trojan Family, Ed.D. graduates enjoy a lifelong relationship as part of a worldwide community.