California Community Colleges Names Aisha N. Lowe Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Support; David O’Brien Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations of

March 27, 2020
Christina Jimenez
cjimenez@@cccco.edu
T 916.322.4004

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office has filled two critical leadership positions with the hiring of Aisha Lowe as vice chancellor of educational services and support and David O’Brien as vice chancellor for governmental relations.

As vice chancellor of governmental relations, O’Brien oversees a division responsible for formulating and advancing the legislative agenda of the California Community Colleges and represents the Chancellor's Office before the Legislature and executive branch of the state and federal governments. As vice chancellor of educational services and support, Lowe helps oversee a division responsible for everything from curriculum and instruction to Guided Pathways and the Baccalaureate Degree Pilot Program.

“Both Aisha Lowe and David O’Brien come from backgrounds centered on achieving equity in education and making sure that all students are provided the support and tools necessary to help them meet their goals and overcome any challenges they may face,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley.

Lowe, a former dean with the Office of Academic Research at William Jessup University who also worked as an associate professor at its School of Education, has extensive experience in education research, strategic planning, and program development and evaluation. Her background includes serving as an independent consultant supporting the research and evaluation needs of schools, organizations and educators; working as an adjunct professor at the Los Rios Community College District and California State University, Sacramento; serving as the executive director of STAND UP For Great Schools; and serving as director of research for the California Charter Schools Association.

Lowe has a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in sociology and a doctorate in educational psychology from Stanford University.

O’Brien has been the director of government affairs for the California Student Aid Commission since October of 2016, a role that placed him as the commission’s primary liaison to the state Legislature, the Governor’s Office, the California Department of Finance and other agencies on matters related to financial aid and college affordability. That made him a critical figure in the commission’s efforts to reform and expand California’s financial aid programs. Prior to joining the Student Aid Commission, O’Brien worked for nearly five years as a legislative manager for the California Department of State Hospitals, a legislative analyst for the state Department of Mental Health and as a legislative assistant for the California Environmental Protection Agency. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science and government from California State University, Sacramento.

The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 115 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; degree and certificate pathways; and basic skills education in English and math. As the state’s engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports the Vision for Success, a strategic plan designed to improve student success outcomes, increase transfer rates and eliminate achievement gaps. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges website or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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