Susan A. Cota, Ed.D.

Dr. Susan Cota became the first female Hispanic chancellor in the California Community College system when she was appointed chancellor of the 21,000-student Chabot-Las Positas Community College District on July 1, 2001. In 1993 she held the position of interim president of Las Positas College and was hired as the college’s permanent president, a position she held until being named chancellor in 2001. During her tenure as chancellor, voters approved a $498 million facilities construction bond. Dr. Cota served as chancellor until August, 2007. 

Dr. Cota has held various academic positions in California community colleges including counselor, director and dean of student services. She served the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office in Sacramento as statewide administrator of Disabled Students Programs and Services. She was also elected to and has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Board of the American Association of Community Colleges, the Board of the Association of California Community College Administrators, the Community College League of California, the California Latina Leadership Network, the Board of the Community College Leadership Development Initiatives at the University of San Diego, the American Association of Women in Community and Junior Colleges, the Community College Futures Committee, and the Pleasanton Rotary Club.  

In 2006, Dr. Cota received the Harry Buttimer Distinguished Administrator Award from the Association of California Community Colleges Administrators. The award recognizes a chief educational officer who demonstrates integrity, principle, compassion and strength in leadership and contributes to colleagues and the education profession. She has also received the Community College League of California Courageous Leader Award and the Outstanding Educator in Administration award from the University of San Francisco Alumni Society.

Dr. Cota holds a Doctorate in Organization and Leadership from the University of San Francisco, a Master of Science in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling from San Francisco State University and a bachelor’s degree in English from Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles.