Come meet the Finalists for Vice President of Student Services!

Meet Our Vice President of Student Services Finalists!

The Open Forums are a venue for the campus community to learn more about each finalist and engage in a Q & A format with them.  We invite you to attend the Open Forums. This also provides an opportunity for the candidates to meet the outstanding students, staff, faculty and administration of Cañada College.

Days & Times:

Monday, March 4
11:30am – 12:30pm	Dr. Manuel Alejandro Perez
2:30pm -3:30pm	Dr. Char Perlas
Tuesday, March 5
10:00am –11:00am	Dr. Vinicio Lopez
2:30pm – 3:30pm	Mr. Samuel Santos

Location for all Forums:

Building 6, Rooms 101/102 

Finalist Biographies:

Monday, March 4, 2019

Dr. Manuel Alejandro Perez – 11:30am – 12:30pm

Dr. Manuel Alejandro Pérez has committed over 15 years of service and work experience in the California State University (CSU), University of California (UC), California Community College, and private university systems in California.  He currently serves as the Interim Assistant Vice President for Equity & Community Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer for San Francisco State University. In this role, Manuel leads and supports campus climate and diversity initiatives to close the educational equity gap at the University, which includes management and leadership of identity-specific cultural centers. He is also part-time faculty in the Performing Arts & Social Justice, Latin American Studies, and International & Multicultural Education programs at the University of San Francisco. 

Prior to his SF Bay Area work experience, Manuel served as the Dean of Student Development and Dean of Equity Programs & Pathways for American River College (ARC). Over the course of his eight years at ARC, Manuel was responsible for equity and student success initiatives for underserved communities, student leadership and engagement programs, six Federal TRIO grants, the development of guided pathways for feeder middle and high schools to the college, and more. As a California community college transfer student from the Los Rios Community College District, Manuel is proud to have served as a Student Services administrator in the same system that first introduced him to the possibilities of transfer in the first place.

Manuel received his Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with a minor in Ethnic Studies from Santa Clara University, and his Master’s degree in Communication Studies from San Diego State University.  He completed his doctorate in education from the University of San Francisco in International & Multicultural Education. Manuel considers himself a scholar practitioner with a commitment to innovative practices that inspire imagination and strengthen inclusive spaces in our communities. He credits his passion for community engagement on his upbringing as a first generation son from a migrant, immigrant, and Spanish-speaking household. His presentations, trainings, and facilitation as a leader in education speak to this dynamic.

Dr. Char Perlas – 2:30pm -3:30pm

Dr. Char Perlas is a first generation Filipino-American and, former community college student, whose focus has been on increasing the educational opportunities of disproportionately impacted students. She has witnessed firsthand the challenges of navigating through the California Community College system and, it’s this experience that fuels her passion to work with community college students.

Dr. Perlas has 19 years of professional experience in the California Community College system, serving in roles as tenured instructor, program manager, accreditation lead and administrator. Currently, Dr. Perlas serves as the Interim Vice President of Student Services at Cañada College where she facilitates efforts towards Guided Pathways implementation as well as participates in Accreditation and Program Review activities. Dr. Perlas’s previous positions include: Dean of Science and Math at Chabot College, Dean of Workforce Development, Applied Sciences and Math at College of Alameda and the following positions at Mission College: Director of MESA (Math Engineering Science Achievement), Division Chair of Student Services, Department Chair of Counseling, and Student Learning Outcomes Coordinator. Additionally, Dr. Perlas serves as Cañada’s 504/ADA Compliance and Student Disciplinary Officer.

Dr. Perlas is actively involved in her community. She is currently a mentor for Girls Inc. of the Island City and a member of the American Association of University Women. She takes pride in building relationships with community partners and looks forward to strengthen linkages among CBOs, Industry and Cañada College. 

Dr. Perlas holds a Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis on Leadership for Higher Education from Capella University, Minneapolis, MN, a Master of Public Administration with an emphasis on Organizational Change from California State University, East Bay, a Master of Science in Counseling with an emphasis on School Counseling, PPS Credential from California State University, Sacramento and a Bachelor of Art in Psychology from California State University, Fresno.

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Dr. Vinicio J. López – 10:00am-11:00am

Vinicio J. López has been the Dean for Academic Affairs at the School of ESL and International Education at City College of San Francisco (CCSF) since 2014.  In this role Mr. López oversees the largest department at the College, which serves 17,000 students and has over 200 full and part time faculty.  CCSF also enrolls approximately 900 international students from over 80 countries. 

Mr. Lopez has served in key administration positions at diverse and urban community colleges.  He was also an ESL faculty member and English Literacy/Civics Coordinator at the Santa Ana School of Continuing Education. Mr. López’s experiences in community college education include student services, academic affairs, continuing education, and international education programs.

Mr. López is committed to helping students fulfill their potential in pursuit of their educational and professional goals.  He believes in mentoring diverse faculty, staff, and administrators who are reflective of the student’s community colleges serve.  Lastly, Mr. Lopez believes that with current initiatives in the state, college constituency groups must work together in order to put the needs of all students first. 

Mr. López obtained a Doctorate of Education Degree in Higher Education Leadership, Administration, and Policy from Pepperdine University.  He is also a product of the San Diego Community College District, a first generation college student, and English language learner. He feels a connection to current community college students because they share many similarities to his educational and personal journey.

Mr. Samuel Santos – 2:30pm -3:30pm

Mr. Samuel Santos, currently serves as the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, and Dean of Students. In this role, he serves as Chief Student Affairs Officer. Passionate about equity and access to higher education for underrepresented student populations, Samuel has held a wide array of roles in student services spanning both two and four year colleges, including the University of California San Diego, the University of California Santa Barbara, and City College of San Francisco. 

Samuel’s leadership positions include: Interim Vice Chancellor of Student Development, Director of the Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, Associate Dean of Student Activities, Dean of Student Affairs and Wellness, and Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Success and Equity. 

Samuel began his academic career at Alamo Community College District in San Antonio, earned his B.A. in Mexican American Studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and his M.A. in Education with a focus on Multicultural and Community Based Counseling from San Diego State University.  Samuel is a dedicated student services practitioner who strives to create a campus community that is student-centered, culturally responsive, collegial, and fun. In his free time, Samuel enjoys spending time with his family, practicing yoga, and volunteering, having recently been appointed the YMCA of downtown Houston.