Julianna M. Asperin Barnes, Ed.D.

Dr. Julianna M. Asperin Barnes has left an indelible legacy in the education community for over 30 years, particularly within California’s community colleges, where she has been a trailblazing leader for over 25 years. Throughout her career, her unwavering dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion has been her guiding star. Her visionary leadership and strategic focus have not only revolutionized the educational landscape but also driven significant economic and societal advancements, solidifying her status as a transformative force in education.

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As a first-generation, low-income student herself, Dr. Barnes intimately understands the myriad challenges that many of our students endure. From the outset, she discerned that it is the educational system that must undergo a paradigm shift to furnish our diverse student body with the opportunities they rightfully deserve. This profound dedication to our students has been the cornerstone of her leadership, resonating through every facet of her illustrious career.

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In her current role as Chancellor for the South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD), the district has remained a pivotal force in the Orange County economy with an approximate $1.9 billion-dollar annual impact, injecting millions into the county's economy and creating thousands of job opportunities for students and alumni. Additionally, together with her team, the two colleges within her district- Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College- have employed high impact, innovative practices to close equity gaps for disproportionally impacted students. It is no wonder that the colleges were recently recognized by WalletHub as the #1 and #5 top community colleges, respectively, in California.

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Before taking on her current position, Dr. Barnes held the position of President at Cuyamaca College from 2015 to 2022, where she distinguished herself as a transformative leader. Under her leadership, Cuyamaca College rose to prominence as a trailblazer in equity and innovation within the educational landscape. The college's commitment to developmental education reform earned them the prestigious John W. Rice Diversity and Equity Award, and national recognition from Excelencia in Education. Prior to her presidency, she served in various roles at both the community college and university levels.

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Dr. Barnes' earned a Doctor of Education in educational leadership and a Master of Arts in education/multicultural counseling from San Diego State University. Her Bachelor of Arts in sociology and minor in teacher education were obtained from the University of California, San Diego.