The process for deciding the finalists for the Saddleback College President position have resulted in four candidates being selected. Please read their biographies below:
Saddleback College President Candidate Finalists
Dr. Lonita Cordova - Candidate Forum on April 6, 1:30-3 p.m.
Dr. Sean C. Hancock - Candidate Forum on April 7, 1:30-3 p.m.
Dr. Jeffrey N. Lamb - Candidate Forum on April 9, 1:30-3 p.m.
Dr. Martha A. McDonald - Candidate Forum on April 8, 1:30-3 p.m.
Candidate Forums
As part of the South Orange County Community College District presidential search process for Saddleback College, the District invites students, faculty, staff, and members of the community to participate in the Finalist Forums.
All forums are 1:30 – 3:00 pm in the Board Room HS 145
These public forums provide an opportunity for each finalist to share their vision for Saddleback College and to engage directly with the college community. During each session, candidates will discuss their leadership philosophy, priorities for advancing student success, and their approach to fostering innovation, equity, and community partnerships.
Each finalist will participate in an open forum that includes a brief presentation followed by a moderated question-and-answer session. Attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions before each forum.
Community input is an important component of the search process and all feedback collected will be shared with the Chancellor to support the final selection of Saddleback College’s next President. The selected leader will play a critical role in advancing the District’s strategic priorities, including student-centered learning, equitable access, and workforce innovation.
Dr. Lonita Cordova
Dr. Lonita Cordova is an Orange County Native who attended Western High School in Buena Park. She is a transformative executive leader and scholar-practitioner with over 22 years of experience spanning the California Community College system, K-12 education, and graduate-level instruction. She provides executive leadership for the District’s student success infrastructure, aligning complex administrative operations with a human-centered mission. Her experience includes faculty roles as an adjunct psychology professor and adjunct general counselor, a Learning Disability Specialist, and a Veterans Counselor Coordinator. Dr. Cordova has 10 years of experience as an administrator and has served as a Director of Disability Services and Mental Health, Dean of Student Equity and Success, a Center Dean of Instruction, and her current role as an Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Services. Full Profile
Dr. Sean C. Hancock
Dr. Sean C. Hancock is an experienced community college leader with more than twenty-five years of service in higher education administration, instruction, and student support. Throughout his career, he has been guided by a commitment to student-centered leadership, equity in educational opportunity, and strong partnerships between colleges and the communities they serve. Dr. Hancock currently serves as President of Cerro Coso Community College in the Kern Community College District, where he leads a multi-campus institution. Full Profile.
Dr. Jeffrey N. Lamb
Dr. Jeffrey N. Lamb is a seasoned California community college leader, educator, and scholar with more than two decades of experience advancing student success, academic quality, and institutional effectiveness. He began his career as a faculty member and has maintained a strong connection to teaching and learning throughout his leadership journey. He currently serves as Vice President of Academic Affairs at Santa Ana College, where he provides executive leadership for all instructional programs and services, including academic and career education, dual enrollment, online education, curriculum, enrollment management, accreditation, and institutional planning. Full Profile.
Dr. Martha A. McDonald
Dr. Martha McDonald is an experienced community college leader with more than 26 years of experience advancing student success, equity, and institutional leadership across California’s community college system. As Vice President for Student Services at Irvine Valley College, she provides executive leadership for a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services supporting student access, persistence, and completion, including enrollment services, counseling, financial aid, student equity initiatives, outreach and recruitment, veterans services, and student health and wellness. Full Profile.
About the College
Saddleback College has been serving students for more than 50 years, with more than 500,000 alumni who can attest to the quality of its academic and career programs. The rich academic traditions make Saddleback College an ideal place for students seeking associate degrees, certificates, transfers to universities, workforce training, or simply pursuing lifelong learning.
Saddleback College 2024 Accreditation Report and Accreditation Information
About the District
Established in 1967, the South Orange County Community College District provides the south Orange County area with high quality, innovative, and dynamic learning environments that inspire student success.
2025-2026 SOCCCD Adopted Budget
Economic Impact of SOCCCD on Orange County
About the Area
Saddleback College is located in suburban Mission Viejo in South Orange County, California, an area known for its mild climate and pleasant residential communities. The campus sits on a hillside on about 200 acres surrounded by neighborhoods, shops like The Shops at Mission Viejo, and easy freeway access via Interstate 5, giving it a mix of peaceful suburbia and convenient amenities nearby. Mission Viejo and the surrounding Saddleback Valley offer a blend of outdoor recreation, local parks, shopping, and dining, all within reach of beaches and larger Southern California cities.
Community Partners
Orange County Business Council (OCBC)
OCBC works to enhance Orange County’s economic prosperity, including through encouraging the training of needed workers for county businesses.
Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (OCHCC)
OCHCC represents the interests of more than 30,000 Hispanic-owned O.C. businesses. Its support includes education and training programs.
Orange County Black Chamber of Commerce (OCBCC)
OCBCC advocates for Black business and economic development, emphasizing the importance of education to the African-American community.
Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD)
Serves a large part of South Orange County including Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo (parts), Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, and Dana Point.
Saddleback Valley Unified School District (SVUSD)
Serves Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Lake Forest, parts of Rancho Santa Margarita, Trabuco Canyon, and small parts of Aliso Viejo/Irvine.
More Community Organizations:
Orange County School Boards Association (OCSBA)
Community College League of California (CCLC)
IMS Global Learning Consortium Inc
Transforming Data with Intelligence (TDWI)
American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)
California Association of Latino Community College Trustees and Administration (CALCCTA)
Association of Chief Human Resource Officers (ACHRO)
Southern 30/Equal Employment Diversity & Equity Consortium. (EEDEC)
Community College Facility Coalition (CCFC)
California Community College Women’s Caucus (CCCWC)
Society for College and University Planning (SCUP)
Association Community College Trustees (ACCT)
EDUCAUSE
Public Agency Risk Managers Association (PARMA)
The RP (Research and Planning) Group Inc.
National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR)