The Bay Region Center of Excellence (COE) is excited to welcome Dr. Liza Chavac as its new Assistant Director. In this role, she supports the COE’s mission to provide high-quality, equity-driven labor market research to inform program development across the 28 colleges in the Bay Area. She looks forward to supporting colleges and stakeholders with research and data that connects labor market trends with K12 and postsecondary programs, ensuring that these efforts respond to regional workforce needs and improve student employment outcomes.

Dr. Chavac began her academic journey at Santa Monica College, an experience that ignited her lifelong commitment to advancing equity in community colleges. Her research and professional experience are grounded in this lived experience. She has collaborated with several institutions across California, including Pasadena City College, Los Angeles Valley College, San Diego City College, Santa Monica College, Glendale Community College, and West Los Angeles College on initiatives aimed at closing equity gaps and improving student success.

While at Pasadena City College, she played a key leadership role in the ASCEND Men of Color program by providing data findings that informed the integration of culturally responsive mental health workshops. These workshops were designed to increase retention and provide holistic support for men of color. In addition, her doctoral dissertation examined the structural and procedural barriers that contribute to the departure of Black and Latino/a/e students from various community colleges.

Most recently, Dr. Chavac served as a Research Analyst at Santa Ana College, where she led projects on student outcomes, workforce transitions, and equity-centered policies. She earned an A.A in Liberal Arts from Santa Monica College, a B.A. in Psychology from USC, and both an M.A. in Human Development and Psychology and a Ph.D. in Education from UCLA.