What's Happening?
Las Positas College has released its organizational chart for Fall 2026, detailing the leadership and faculty appointments within its Business, Social Science, and Learning Resources division. Titian Lish has been named the Interim Dean of Academic Services.
Aubrie Ross will serve as the Senior Administrative Assistant. The Early Childhood Development department will include instructors Lyndale Garner and Nadiyah Taylor, with Carla Aguirre as the Classified ECD Professional Development Coordinator. In Psychology, instructors are Irena Keller, John Ruys, Robin Roy, and Sheena Turner-August. The Social Science department lists Daniel Cearley for Anthropology, Stuart McElderry and John Rosen for History, Felipe Ponce for Ethnic Studies, and Sarah Thompson and Akihiko Hirose for Sociology. The Business-Marketing-Economics department includes Erick Bell, Rajeev Chopra, Jerry Bailey, Mary Lauffer, and Andrew Patterson as instructors, with Gina Webster specifically for Economics. Mary Lauffer also handles Work Experience. The Learning Resource Center will have librarians Kali Rippel, Angela Amaya, Frances Hui, and Collin Thormoto, with Diana Navarro-Kleinschmidt as the Library Services Specialist and June Harada, Virginia Edwards, and Loida Sarcia as Library Technicians. Jin Tsubota is the Faculty Coordinator/Instructor for the Tutorial Center, supported by LisaMarie Russo as Senior Instructional Assistant. The Computer Center's Classified Instructional Assistants include Hermina Sarkis, Kelly Vacant, Jennifer Farber, and Larysa Karpylovych. Stephany Marchena Chavez directs the Child Development Center, with various Early Childhood Specialists and Assistants.
Why It's Important?
This detailed organizational chart provides a clear overview of the academic and administrative structure at Las Positas College for the upcoming Fall 2026 semester. The appointments of key personnel, such as Titian Lish as Interim Dean and the various faculty members across departments, are crucial for the college's operational continuity and academic delivery. For students, this information clarifies who will be leading their programs and teaching their courses. For the broader educational community, it reflects the college's commitment to staffing its departments with qualified professionals. The inclusion of specific roles like the ECD Professional Development Coordinator and various instructional assistants highlights the college's focus on comprehensive student support and specialized educational services. This structure is vital for maintaining academic standards and ensuring the effective functioning of the institution.
What's Next?
With the leadership and faculty appointments in place, Las Positas College will proceed with its academic planning and course offerings for the Fall 2026 semester. The interim nature of some positions, such as the Dean of Academic Services, suggests that permanent appointments may be sought in the future. The college will likely focus on integrating new faculty members and ensuring a smooth transition for all departments. Students will begin to register for courses, and the newly appointed staff will take on their responsibilities in supporting the college's educational mission. The continued operation and development of programs like Early Childhood Development and the Learning Resource Center will be key areas of focus, aiming to enhance student success and community engagement.
Beyond the Headlines
The detailed staffing plan at Las Positas College underscores the complex administrative and academic infrastructure required to run a higher education institution. The presence of multiple vacant positions in certain departments, such as Anthropology and Political Science, could indicate ongoing recruitment efforts or strategic adjustments in course offerings. The emphasis on support roles, from administrative assistants to library technicians and instructional assistants, highlights the holistic approach colleges take to student success, extending beyond direct classroom instruction. This organizational transparency can also serve as a model for other educational institutions in communicating their internal structures and personnel, fostering a sense of stability and preparedness for the academic year.
