(Santa Ana, CA)—Rancho Santiago Community College District is pleased to announce the appointment of David J. Vakil as the dean of the Division of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Santiago Canyon College.
Vakil will administer all aspects of the academic division including the design, delivery, staffing, administrative support, supervision and evaluation of division programs, support staff, as well as student enrollment and progress. Working under the vice president of academic affairs, Vakil will give direction and support to the faculty within the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Division, as well as serving on the college committees.
With 17 years’ experience as an instructor and administrator within the California Community College system; four years of experience as the dean of instruction at Moreno Valley College and three years as the associate dean of academic affairs at El Camino College, Vakil has considerable leadership experience in directing academic programs within California community colleges. His successes include increasing transfer rates by 91 percent, hiring 17 new full-time faculty, supporting a music program’s expansion from primarily “appreciation” to a full degree program, and managing a $15 million instructional budget.
Additional successes include securing $8,000 for an infrared camera for a Fire Technology Program, and $10,000 for digital astronomy display equipment. Vakil has presented at conferences on the topics of late class adders, getting students to return to college, and linking planning to budgeting.
Vakil is currently working toward earning his Doctorate of Education in educational leadership from the University of California, Los Angeles, and has a Master of Science in Astronomy from California Institute of Technology. His Bachelor of Science in physics, astronomy and mathematics — a triple major — was completed with honors at the University of Arizona in Tucson, where he graduated summa cum laude.
About Rancho Santiago Community College District
Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College are public community colleges of the 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.
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