Maria Villagomez, Ed.D.

About

Dr. María L. Villagómez is goal-oriented, resourceful, responsive, and adept at redirecting her attention between the details

and the ‘big’ picture of an issue. She is a recognized leader and innovator with more than 23 years of experience in

increasingly responsible positions in the CA community college system.

Dr. Villagómez holds bachelor's and master’s degrees in Spanish Literature, a second master’s degree in Curriculum,

Teaching, and Learning with an emphasis in Educational Leadership, and a doctorate in education (EdD) in Educational

Leadership.

Currently, Dr. Villagómez is the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Academic Affairs and the Accreditation Liaison

at Santa Barbara City College, providing visionary leadership and oversight for the college’s broad array of academic

programs. As the ASVPAA, she led a no-cost reorganization in academic affairs to maximize effectiveness and efficiency

across the instructional areas. In this role, she co-chairs various projects, including the development of the Educational

Vision Plan, and the implementation of the college’s Strategic Enrollment Plan.

At Napa Valley College, Dr. Villagómez served as the Senior Dean over two of the largest FTES-generating and most

productive divisions, Language Arts and Social Sciences, and oversaw the Library and Distance Education. Her previous

positions include Dean of Instruction and Academic Support, and Dean of Language Arts, Educational Support, and Learning

Technologies.

Dr. Villagómez taught Spanish Language and Literature courses as a tenured professor at Napa Valley College for over 18

years, a role for which she won the McPherson Distinguished Teaching Award in 2015. At NVC, she served as President, 1 st

Vice President and Grievance Officer for the Faculty Association, and as 1 st Vice President and Secretary for the Academic

Senate.

Dr. Villagómez has always been active in various civic local and statewide organizations including Napa-Solano Girl Scouts,

Leadership Napa Valley, HOPE, Hispanas Organized for Political Equality, Napa Valley College Leadership Academy as well as

her local library. She has served on the board of directors of ACCCA as a state-wide representative and as the Vice President

of the NVC Administrative Senate. In 2017, she completed the ACCCA’s Great Deans Program. In 2022, she was selected by

her colleagues at NVC as the Administrative/Confidential Employee of the Year. In 2022, she completed CCLC’s Aspiring CEO

leadership program. Currently, she serves on ACCCA’s Commission for Finance, Legislation, and Advocacy.

In her free time, Dr. Villagómez enjoys spending quality time with her husband, a college professor, and their son.