Officials with College of the Canyons announced Monday that they have named Dr. Omar Torres as the new Chief Instructional Officer for the community college.

Torres takes over the position that was vacated by Dr. Jerry Buckley, who left College of the Canyons to assume a new role as President of Reedley College. The position was recently served in an interim role by Joe Gerda, who retired in June.

“I congratulate Dr. Omar Torres for his new position as Chief Instructional Officer,” said Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook, chancellor for College of the Canyons. “His innovative spirit and passion for student success combined with his ability to make the most of these ever changing and unprecedented times is what will help College of the Canyons continue to excel in these dynamic and pivotal times in our college’s history.”

Torres has over 18 years of experience as both faculty and administration within the California Community College System, having previously worked as the college’s Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Services.

“It is both an honor and a privilege to serve beside our persevering students and exceptional faculty, staff, administrators, and Board of Trustees as the next Chief Instructional Officer for College of the Canyons,” Torres said in a statement. “The college has an outstanding reputation meeting—and exceeding—the evolving instructional and workforce needs of our community, and I look forward to partnering with our campus professionals in our collective efforts to best support the present and future successes of our students.”

Torres originally came to College of the Canyons in 2010, serving as an instructional dean for the Division of Mathematics, Sciences, & Engineering. He left four years later after accepting  the position of Vice President of Academic Affairs at Santa Ana College.

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He then returned to College of the Canyons a year later, where he served as an instructional dean for the School of Mathematics, Sciences & Health Professions.

In 2017, Torres became the interim Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs for the college, which became permanent in 2019.

At College of the Canyons, Torres has worked on a variety of academic programs and instructional support services in the academic affairs service area. He oversaw the development of annual class schedules using a Guided Pathways framework, enhanced opportunities for students through concurrent and dual enrollment, and supported college initiatives such as Cooperative Work Experience, noncredit instruction, inmate education, and public safety training.

In addition, he served as the college’s Accreditation Liaison Officer, and is an active member of the college’s Educational Alliance, which resulted in the “significant expansion” of concurrent and dual enrollment courses offered at all Hart High schools.  

Prior to joining College of the Canyons, Torres taught chemistry at Moorpark College and Los Angeles City College. 

Torres earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Texas A&M University, College Station and a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2001. He holds a doctorate degree in organizational leadership from the University of La Verne.

Torres began his new position at the beginning of July.

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