Current Position and Past Experience
Erlinda J. Martinez is the President of Santa Ana College, a position she has held since 2005.

Martinez previously served as Vice President for Student Services and Assistant Superintendent at Cerritos College and as Dean of Students at Mission College. She has also served as Director of Student Affairs at El Camino College.

Martinez is currently a member of the Santa Ana Workforce Investment Board and the KidWorks Board of Directors. She has previously served as a member of the Executive Board of NACCTEP (National Association of Community College Teacher Education Programs), a member of the Latina Leadership Network, a member of the Board of Governors for City University of Seattle in Washington, and a member and mentor for the Association of California Community College Administrators.

The White House invited Martinez to participate as one of two community college leaders in the U.S. Department of Education’s Evidence – Action – Innovation: A College Completion Symposium in Washington, D.C.

Education, Honors and Achievements
Martinez earned her bachelor’s degree from UC Riverside and her Master’s from CSU Los Angeles. She earned her Doctorate in Education from the University of Southern California.

In October 2015, she received the Visionary Leadership Award from the Hispanic Endowment Education Fund and the Outstanding Leadership in Education Award from Para Todos. Her story and personal journey were included in Latino Presidents: In Their Own Words – Diversity in Higher Education, chapter three: Shifts Happen: The Journey of a Latina College President. Martinez has also been recognized for her professional and civic contributions by the National Council on Student Development, the National Latina Business Women Association, the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Santa Ana.

Personal Details and Community Involvement
Martinez is passionate about history and visiting historic sites. She is looking forward to traveling to Machu Picchu, Peru, during summer 2016. She loves music and works at playing the violin.

Connect
You can find Martinez on LinkedIn.