The South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees cordially invites you to an investiture ceremony honoring...
Chancellor Dr. Julianna M. Asperin Barnes
Thursday, April 27, 2023
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Irvine Valley College Performing Arts Center
5500 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618
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About This Event
The South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD) Board of Trustees officially invites all faculty, staff, students, and community members to the inaugural investiture ceremony in honor of Chancellor Julianna M. Asperin Barnes, scheduled for:
Thursday, April 27, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Irvine Valley College Performing Arts Center.
Dr. Barnes began her tenure in SOCCCD in August 2022, making her the 10th Chancellor of the District. The Board of Trustees is proud to officially announce her appointment and present her to the community at-large, with the investiture ceremony to be held for the first time in the District’s 50 plus year history.
“On behalf of the SOCCCD Board of Trustees, we are excited to welcome Chancellor Barnes. Her years of experience in the community college system as well as her deep commitment to student success and innovation are just a couple reasons why she was picked to lead the district’s efforts in serving the next generation of students with excellent educational programs and support services at Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College. Additionally, we are assured by her leadership efforts to strengthen partnerships with the business and non-profit community throughout Orange County. The future is bright for SOCCCD,” said Board President Timothy Jemal.
About the Chancellor
Dr. Julianna M. Asperin Barnes joined the South Orange County Community College District as Chancellor in August of 2022 with 30 plus years of experience in the higher education arena.
Prior to her appointment as Chancellor for the SOCCCD, Dr. Barnes served as President of Cuyamaca College for seven years. Under her leadership, the college emerged as a leading college in equity and innovation. Early adopters in developmental education reform, the college was awarded the John W. Rice Diversity and Equity Award and was recognized nationally by Excelencia in Education.
Dr. Barnes is known in the higher education arena to be an inclusive and engaged leader who has fostered strong internal and external relationships, providing the foundation for equitable student outcomes, a positive campus climate, and a healthy organization. Prior to her presidency, Dr. Barnes served as Vice President, Student Services at Cuyamaca and Mesa Colleges; Dean, Student Development & Matriculation at SD City College; and Dean, Student Affairs & Matriculation at Miramar College. She also served in various positions at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and currently serves as an adjunct faculty member in San Diego State University’s (SDSU) doctoral program.
At the regional, state, and national levels, Dr. Barnes serves on several boards and presents at numerous conferences. Of note, she serves on the board of directors for the Community College League of California (CCLC), and as president-elect of the Chief Executive Officers of the California Community Colleges (CEOCCC) Board. At the local level, Dr. Barnes serves as an appointed member of the Orange County Business Council (OCBC) Board of Directors and maintains membership on the Orange County Community College Legislative Task Force (OCCCLTF) as well as the Orange County Regional Consortium: Workforce Development Alliance.
Dr. Barnes received a Doctor of Education in educational leadership and a Master of Arts in education/counseling from SDSU, plus a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and minor in teacher education from UCSD. She is a lifelong southern California resident and is proud to be the mother of two adult daughters
Frequently Asked Questions
An investiture is defined as a ceremony in which someone is given an official rank, authority, or power. An investiture is one of the oldest traditions in academia; a milestone that celebrates a new era for the district while honoring its history.
The investiture ceremony itself features a number of rituals normally associated with events such as commencement. There is a full academic procession, followed by the board of trustees, faculty and distinguished guests from other academic institutions and OC community.
Faculty, staff, students, and members of the general public are all witnesses to this marking of a new beginning in the life of the district.
Elements of the ceremony include: remarks from the diverse constituencies that comprise the district community, the formal presentation of the chancellor’s medal and investiture of the new chancellor by the President of the Board of Trustees, and an inaugural address by the new chancellor.