Paloma Vargas, Ph.D.

President

Council Term: 2021-2024

Dean of Math, Science, Health, Kinesiology and Athletics Division

Dr. Paloma Vargas (she/they/ella) is the Dean of Math, Science, Health, Kinesiology, and Athletics Division at Oxnard College, a 2-year public Hispanic-Serving (HSI) institution. In her capacity as Dean, Dr. Vargas works with administration, faculty, and staff to determine best practices in serving a diverse student population. Dr. Vargas received her B.S. in Biology from the University of Texas at El Paso and El Paso Community College (HSIs), and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Medical and Molecular Parasitology from The Vilcek Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences at New York University. Her graduate and post-doctoral work focused on host-pathogen interactions of both parasitic amoeba (E. histolytica) and Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaire’s Disease. Dr. Vargas previously served as a biology faculty member, researcher, HSI Director, Science Coordinator and STEM Advisor at private and public institutions.

Dr. Vargas has extensive experience in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work. Her focus has been on dismantling policies that negatively affect Black, Latinx, and Native American/Indigenous students in higher education. She has served as a facilitator and trainer for faculty in DEI work including work focusing on Hispanic-Serving Institutions. Dr. Vargas is an anti-racist in training, centers culturally relevant pedagogy in her work. Dr. Vargas is an active member of both the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Latinos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) and of the Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institute Educators (AHSIE).