Mark Perry
Chairman

Mark Perry is co-owner and Chairman of the Board of Directors for San Joaquin Valley College, Inc., which governs Ember Education, San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) and Carrington College. He has the responsibility of conducting corporate meetings that shape college operations, reporting and growth.

As one of the founding family members of SJVC that began in 1977, Mark (with his brother Mike Perry) supported parents Robert and Shirley Perry’s dream to bring higher education and training to their small Visalia, Calif., community. The brothers took ownership of SJVC in 1995 and expanded the original vision to include 15 campuses in Central, Northern and Southern California that provide 20-plus career-focused programs to their communities.

Prior to his retirement in 2015, Mark’s influence, honed by instrumental positions he held in Admissions, Marketing, corporate representation and - for over 20-years - President of the College, was felt in every facet of decision-making and operation.

He has represented both SJVC and the community service ideals his parents instilled in their sons through a spirit of giving. His philanthropy, support and leadership have helped to shape communities and provide opportunities to its populations.

Mark’s history of community service includes Kaweah Delta Hospital Foundation, Member of the Board; Visalia Breakfast Rotary; member of Rotary District 5230, Youth Exchange Committee; Visalia Education and Training Council. He also served on the Advisory Board of the Sequoia Council Boy Scouts of America and received the Good Scouter of the Year award.

Mike Perry
Chief Executive Officer/President

As CEO/President of Ember Education, a division of San Joaquin Valley College, Inc., Mike Perry oversees the operation, growth and accountability of all educational entities operating under San Joaquin Valley College, Inc. His mission is to provide the highest outcomes for students and graduates on all San Joaquin Valley College and Carrington College campuses Ember Ed serves.

As co-owner/CEO and member of San Joaquin Valley College, Inc.’s Board of Directors, Mike directs the college teams toward continued success.

A member of the founding family of San Joaquin Valley College, Mike has made private college education his life’s work. His parents Robert and Shirley Perry started San Joaquin Valley College in 1977, and Mike and his brother Mark held the most menial jobs to further their family’s vision of career training for their small community. The brothers assumed ownership and full operation of the College and its many campuses in 1995. Mark Perry has since retired from college operations.

Giving back to his community through personal involvement and financial support is a life-long philosophy and practice for Mike. He has been an active Rotarian since 2005, serving most recently as Vice President. He has served his professional community as a Board Member and Chairman of the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools (CAPPS) and is a member of the Board of Governors for both San Joaquin Valley College and Carrington College. Mike was a 2010 recipient of CAPPS Hall of Fame STAR Award, which honors sector leaders who are absolute in their dedication to education and students.

In his hometown, participation as a member and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Visalia Chamber of Commerce was instrumental in his expression of community support. Mike was the honored recipient of the Visalia Junior Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year award.

Steve Perry
Director

Steve Perry has served in escalating levels of leadership at San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) since 1985 including Dean of Education and Campus Director, culminating in his latest position with Ember Education as Vice President of Real Estate and Facilities after retiring in 2017.

Steve was the lead person determining property site locations, purchase/lease negotiations, building design, space allocation plans, selection of architects and Gen. Contractors including supervision and deadlines.

He managed all properties including their upkeep and upgrade needs, designing/drafting construction plans, provided construction project management of new and existing properties and budgeting for ongoing and new projects with adherence to building code requirements. He is a Licensed Commercial Real Estate Broker.

As a member of his local church, Steve serves as Eucharistic Minister and Lector. He has been chairman of the finance council and chairman of the building committee where he provided construction oversight in the building of the largest parish church in North America. His community involvement also includes serving as a Rotarian for more than 20 years and later becoming a member of the Rotary Foundation.

Russ Lebo
Chief Financial Officer

Russ Lebo is the Chief Financial Officer for Ember Education and is responsible for managing the income and operational costs through strategic planning and the development of control systems that will preserve company assets and income. Starting with San Joaquin Valley College in 1995, Russ broadened his financial administrator acumen over the years, which bolstered his transition to Ember Education.

As a member of the senior management team, Russ oversees staff of several departments including Accounting/Finance, Financial Aid, Information Systems, Purchasing, Facilities, and Risk Management.

Russ has been a site team member for the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges/Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC/WASC), visiting several California private and community colleges seeking accreditation approval.

Russ earned a Master of Business Administration degree from University of Redlands and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University, Stanislaus. He is a Certified Management Accountant from the Institute of Management Accountants and is Balanced Scorecard Certified with the Palladium Group/Kaplan-Norton.

Mike Abril
Chief Legal Officer

Mike Abril is the Chief Legal Officer for Ember Education and the Corporate Secretary for San Joaquin Valley College, Inc. His title and responsibilities transfer to Ember Education from San Joaquin Valley College where he has served as Vice President of Legal and Regulatory Affairs since 2012.

As Chief Legal Officer, Mike supervises the Ember Education legal department, which comprises corporate counsel, paralegals, a contract manager and legal technicians. As Corporate Secretary for San Joaquin Valley College, Inc., Mike is responsible for ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements and for safeguarding the implementation of the Board of Directors’ decisions.

Mike brings more than 25 years of private practice to Ember Education that includes years with national law firms. He combines his legal acumen with 10 years of teaching as an adjunct instructor for non-profit and for-profit post-secondary institutions.

He previously served as Co-Chair of the Agribusiness Committee of the Business Law Section of the State Bar of California. He is a member of California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools (CAPPS), Career Education Colleges and Universities, the Association of Corporate Counsel, the American Bar Association, the California State Bar, and serves as Secretary for the Kern County Bar Association In-House section.

Mike was awarded a Juris Doctor at University of Southern California where he earned his Master’s in Business Administration. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Davis.

Joseph Holt
Chief Operating Officer

As COO for Ember Education, Joseph Holt provides executive leadership, strategic planning and organizational development for San Joaquin Valley College and Carrington College, entities of San Joaquin Valley College, Inc. He ensures that Ember Ed, as a service provider, effectively meets the institutional needs of both colleges.

Joseph directs the Vice Presidents of four vital areas of operation: Human Resources, Compliance and Regulatory Affairs, Marketing Communications and Growth and Development to unified and far-reaching effect. Additionally, he works closely with the two college Presidents, providing leadership, coordination and support for the migration of best practices across colleges.

With San Joaquin Valley College since 2001, Joseph brings a host of education, marketing and administrative experience to his broad sphere of influence. He also carries a strong sense of institutional mission and a commitment to staff and faculty teamwork toward student support and success.

Joseph serves an ideal that cultivates talent and develops effective systems that deliver the highest outcomes for students, graduates and employers. His professional focus is to ensure strong ideas find fertile ground in which to thrive.

Joseph earned his Master’s degree in Organizational Studies at Fresno Pacific University and his Bachelor’s degree in Communications at California State University, Bakersfield.

Joseph is a member of the Board of Governors for Carrington College. He serves as an institutional representative on the Advisory Board for the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education, and on the Federal Regulatory Committee of the Career Education Colleges and Universities’ national association.

Adam Lefaive
Vice President of Information Systems

Adam Lefaive is the VP of Information Systems at Ember Education. He is responsible for planning, coordinating and supervising services related to all areas of the College’s technology needs. This includes systems engineering, software application architecture, and data management design.

As the architect of Ember Ed’s Information Technology ecosystem, he is responsible for the systems design and implementation, environment plans, protection, and data integration architecture.

Adam is a cloud-first advocate that helped propel San Joaquin Valley College’s (SJVC) underlying infrastructure into modern cloud-based technologies. He employs creative problem-solving skills and a commitment to improve business operations and systems’ security through technology initiatives.

He specializes in Business Intelligence/Business Analytics, MS SQL Server, MS SharePoint, ASP.Net and Languages (C#, TSQL), and is a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).

Adam currently holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physics from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Angela Heinz
Vice President of Growth and Development

Angela Heinz is the VP of Growth and Development for Ember Education. She is responsible for leading the creation and implementation of strategic expansion opportunities for both Carrington College and San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC).

Angela previously served as Director of Growth and Development for SJVC, where she led the strategic research and planning efforts for the creation, migration and addition of Business, Medical and Technology programs, as well as new campus locations.

Her role as a Student Advisor for the Online Division evolved into representing Student Services and Graduate and Career Services, which provided her with a broad perspective of the College’s operations and services.

Angela holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling and Student Services, with an emphasis in higher education, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development from California State University, Fresno.

Robert Hendrickson
Vice President of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs

Robert Hendrickson is the VP of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs at Ember Education. He is responsible for leading, developing and maintaining rigorous systems to ensure compliance with all regulatory standards for Ember Education institutions.

Robert has worked in higher education administration since 2007, with emphases on institutional and programmatic accreditation, state licensing for residential and online programs and federal student aid compliance. He has been with Ember Education since 2018 overseeing regulatory approvals and the management for compliance operations for external communications and student services activities.

Robert holds a Master of Science degree in International History from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Bachelor’s degree in History from James Madison University.

Alana Schrock
Senior Vice President of Human Resources

Alana Schrock is the Vice President of Human Resources for Ember Education. She is responsible for leading the Human Resources strategies and practices across the enterprise.

Alana joined the organization after 13 years with Adtalem Global Education where she provided human resources leadership to Carrington College, DeVry University and Becker Professional Education. She developed solutions to enhance colleague engagement and performance while driving large-scale organizational change.

Before Adtalem, Alana gained experience in business analysis and project management with PricewaterhouseCoopers and Accenture, helping develop streamlined processes and systems to improve organizational performance.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Communication from DePaul University and Master’s in both Business Administration and Human Resources Management from Keller Graduate School of Management. She has earned human resource certifications through the Society of Human Resources Management and Human Resource Certification Institute.

Ralph Ortiz
Vice President of Purchasing

Ralph Ortiz is the Vice President of Purchasing for Ember Education. He is responsible for materials and supplies acquisition, distribution and management, as well as providing training and supervision to support the operational needs of all College facilities and departments. He provides purchasing and distribution support for every campus, department and office.

Ralph exercises control over centralized purchasing and distribution, providing adherence to policy and procedure manuals he authored, and is responsible for the department-wide use of applications that outline budgetary analysis and forecast control of supply purchases and service.

Ralph’s 40-plus years of experience has helped Ember Education improve buying practices to save millions of dollars and increase the overall purchasing power.

Ralph has tenured experience and training in Facilities Operations, Inventory/Fixed Asset Control/Supply Chain Management, Project Management-Capital Infrastructure, Transportation Management, Capacity Planning, Space Utilization, Safety and Security, Shipping and Receiving, Warehouse Distribution and Domestic and Offshore Manufacturing. 

Kevin Robinson
Senior Vice President of Financial Aid

Kevin Robinson is the Senior Vice President of Financial Aid at Ember Education. He previously anchored San Joaquin Valley College’s Financial Aid department until he migrated to Ember Education where he continues to hold that key position. He holds a wealth of information and knowledge about federal and state regulations and policies that include Title IV regulations, Federal Register and other applicable laws that govern educational institutions’ financial aid programs.

Kevin is responsible for planning, organizing, developing and coordinating student financial aid protocols that are adopted and demonstrated on all campuses. He dictates compliance with regulations and provides an accurate demonstration of company policies and procedures regarding student financial aid. He is Ember Education’s liaison with the U.S. Department of Education, and makes certain that any corrective action is timely and effectively implemented for any audits or program reviews.

Kevin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, as well as a Secondary Teaching credential from California State University, Fresno.

Ginger Silverman
Senior Vice President of Marketing Communications

As VP of Marketing Communications, Ginger provides Ember Education entities a wealth of expertise in results-driven marketing and advertising strategies. Ginger’s direction impacts brand marketing, interest generation, public relations, campus initiatives, and consumer education and communication. She is responsible for implementing, tracking and measuring marketing actions geared toward growth, clear messaging and positive professional standing for the colleges Ember serves.

Ginger brings a depth of knowledge to her position in the areas of digital marketing strategies and optimization, social media marketing, corporate communications, brand expertise and business expansion. She manages marketing campaigns from inception and plan to launch and measurement. She designs strategy with a clear ear to market need, toward shared success.

Ginger's current affiliations include Adjunct Professor, Business, Brandman University; Board of Advisors, Wilkinson College School of Humanities

Ginger was awarded a Master of Fine Arts (terminal) degree, Antioch University; a Bachelor of Arts degree (Summa cum Laude), Chapman University; Wharton Business School – Finance for Nonfinancial Managers.

Lynne Hare
Vice President of Finance

Lynne Hare serves as the Vice President of Finance for Ember Education. She leads the Accounting and Finance teams, overseeing the development and implementation of accounting policies, practices, and shared services across Ember Education’s institutions.

With a focus on accuracy, efficiency, and compliance, Lynne ensures financial systems and reporting align with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and applicable regulatory requirements. She works closely with senior leadership and operational teams across the enterprise to support financial planning, reporting, and system integrity.

Lynne has more than 35 years of experience in accounting, including more than two decades in public accounting and 15 years in the private industry. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a licensed real estate agent in the State of California. She is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA).

Lynne holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Accounting from California State University, Fresno.

Harlan Lindholm
Vice President of Real Estate

Harlan Lindholm brings more than 20 years of experience with a financial and analytical background along with negotiation skills and a management acumen that complements Ember Ed’s vision of property and building expansion.

Harlan is the front-person from site identification and evaluation, through space allocation and design and lease negotiation and finalization, to build/expansion designs, development and deadlines.

He manages all current properties and their upkeep and upgrade needs, supervising construction on new and existing properties and budgeting for ongoing and new projects.

Harlan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton, and is a California Licensed Real Estate Broker.

Robyn Whiles
Interim President

Robyn Whiles serves as the Interim President of San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC), where she oversees the development and execution of strategic initiatives, ensuring the achievement of key performance metrics and fostering organizational growth.

With extensive experience in academic leadership and program development, Robyn previously held roles as Campus President, Academic Dean, and Instructor for programs in Medical Assisting, Medical Billing, and Business Administration. She also contributed her expertise as a Career Education Specialist for the California Department of Education, providing guidance in curriculum planning, technical education, and Tech Prep coordination across numerous high school campuses statewide.

Robyn holds a Bachelor of Administration in Management and Marketing from American InterContinental University (AIU). Additionally, she earned both a Ryan Designated Subjects Credential and a Ryan Administrative Credential from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Nick Gomez
President

Nick Gomez is the President of Carrington College, bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience in higher education to the role. With a strong foundation in operations, strategic planning, and organizational development, Gomez is dedicated to advancing Carrington College’s mission of providing high-quality, career-focused education and training. As President of Carrington College, Gomez is focused on strengthening academic programs and supporting student achievement—ensuring the college remains a vital contributor to the communities it serves.

Prior to joining Carrington College, Gomez served as President of its sister institution, San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC), where he spent more than a decade in key leadership roles including Chief Operating Officer, Assistant Vice President, and Campus Director. During his tenure at SJVC, he led initiatives that expanded trades and technical programs, promoted long-term financial sustainability, and enhanced the student experience through strategic community partnerships.

Gomez holds a Ph.D. and a Master’s in Organizational Development and Change from Fielding Graduate University, as well as an MBA from Pepperdine University with concentrations in Leadership and Managing Organizational Change. He also studied Emerging Business Opportunities at the University of Antwerp in Belgium and earned a Balanced Scorecard Certification through the Kaplan and Norton Palladium Group.

Ron Gardner
Vice President of Operations

Ron Gardner serves as Vice President of Operations at San Joaquin Valley College, providing strategic leadership and direction across multiple campuses. His focus is on continuous improvement and operational excellence, with an unwavering commitment to a student-first approach. Ron collaborates closely with campus teams to promote academic excellence and ensure the delivery of a high-quality educational experience.

With more than 15 years of experience in higher education, Ron has held various leadership roles, including ten years as a Campus President/Director. He assumed the role of Vice President of Operations in spring 2025.

Ron holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communications and Political Science from Fresno Pacific University and an MBA from Fremont University.

Scott Hager
Vice President of Operations

As Vice President of Operations at Carrington College, Scott Hager provides leadership and strategic direction for campuses in the Northwest Region. In this role, he plays a key part in advancing the College’s mission by overseeing operations, supporting strategic initiatives, and driving continuous improvement in both academic and student services. With a student-centered approach, Scott works closely with campus teams to foster operational and academic excellence, ensuring a high-quality educational experience for students.

Prior to joining Carrington College, Scott served as Vice President of Operations for the Southern Region of California at San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC). Over his tenure at SJVC, he also held leadership positions as Vice President of Administration, Director of Administration, and Director of Operations, gaining extensive experience in higher education administration and campus operations.

Scott holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of California, Irvine – The Paul Merage School of Business, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems from Eastern Washington University.

Shannon Koh
Vice President of Academic Affairs

As Vice President of Academic Affairs at San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC), Shannon Koh provides strategic leadership for the college’s academic operations, ensuring a high-quality educational experience that supports student achievement and institutional excellence. She oversees initiatives that strengthen academic programs, instructor development, and compliance with accreditation standards across all campuses and learning modalities.

During her 18-year tenure with SJVC, Shannon has served in multiple leadership roles, including Campus President, Director of Program Effectiveness and Academic Dean. Her collaborative and data-driven approach has enhanced student retention, licensure, and placement outcomes while fostering a culture of community and accountability.

Shannon is dedicated to empowering academic leaders and instructors to drive continuous improvement and align with College’s mission to transform lives through education. She holds a Master of Education in Faculty Leadership and is pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from National University.

Mitch Charles
Executive Vice President of Campus Operations

With more than 20 years of experience in the education sector, Mitch currently serves as the Executive Vice President of Campus Operations at Carrington College. For the past 18 years, he has been a dedicated leader within the organization, overseeing campus leadership, student services, and operational strategy to ensure an exceptional student experience.

Throughout his career, Mitch has successfully led and developed high-performing teams, driven operational excellence, and enhanced student engagement, retention, and outcomes. His leadership has contributed to expanding programs, strengthening employer partnerships, optimizing campus operations, and aligning strategic initiatives with institutional growth.

His core competencies include organizational leadership, staff development, enrollment management, student engagement, and financial oversight. Mitch is proud to be part of Carrington College’s mission to transform lives and communities through learning.

Mitch holds an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management and a BA in Political Science from Cal Poly Pomona. Passionate about student success, he is committed to providing quality education and support services that empower students to achieve their personal and professional goals.

Ashvindar Singh
Vice President of Operations, Northern Region

Ashvindar Singh serves as Vice President of Operations for Carrington College, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight across the College’s Northern campuses. She is passionate about building high-performing environments where students can thrive, faculty can excel, and operational excellence drives meaningful and impactful educational experiences. Ashvindar combines a deep commitment to education with a results-oriented approach, focusing on process optimization and fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

Prior to joining Carrington College, Ashvindar held multiple leadership roles at San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC), culminating in her position as Campus President of the Modesto campus. Over nearly 14 years at SJVC, she progressed through various roles—including Faculty Member, Faculty Instructional Coach, Academic Dean, and Campus President—demonstrating unwavering dedication to student success, faculty development, and operational excellence.

Ashvindar holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership, a Master of Arts in Education, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She is committed to building strong teams, empowering leaders, and implementing operational strategies that create exceptional educational experiences and support the success of every student.

Patricia Hruby
Vice President of Operations, Central Region

Patricia Hruby is the Vice President of Operations at San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC). She previously held an accomplished 20-year career as a Director of Advertising in the newspaper industry.

Patricia first joined SJVC more than 10 years ago as an Enrollment Services Director in Fresno, California. After building and managing a team of dedicated advisors, she transitioned to the role of inaugural Campus Director in Delano. She later served as the Campus President in Bakersfield, followed by Campus President in Fresno. She was later named the Vice President of Operations where she is currently responsible for oversight of SJVC’s northern California campuses.

Patricia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies from Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio.

Michael Como
Vice President of Operations,
Southwest Region

Michael Como is a Regional Vice President of Operations at Carrington College and is responsible for driving operational performance and regional development for the College.

Michael joined Carrington College in 2012 serving as an Executive Director for the Reno, NV campus. He was later appointed to the Mesa campus in Arizona to serve as the Academic Dean. In 2015 he became the Executive Director where he oversaw the operations, long-term strategic initiatives, and overall academic performance for the campus. In 2018 he was selected to serve as the Dean of Academic Operations and in 2020 as the Regional V.P. of Operations for the South Region.

Prior to joining Carrington College Michael spent more than 10 years working in higher education. He also spent five years working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, a national organization which provides voluntary after-school programs.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts in Non-Profit Management from Arizona State University and a Master of Business Administration in General Management from Keller Graduate School of Management.

Ravinder Dayal
Senior Vice President of Online Division

Ravinder Dayal is the Senior Vice President of Online at Carrington College, where she provides strategic leadership to enhance academic programs, faculty development, and student success. With over 20 years of experience in higher education leadership, she has played a key role in advancing curriculum innovation, fostering institutional growth, and strengthening academic operations.

At Carrington College, Ravinder oversees academic programs across multiple locations, guiding faculty and staff to deliver high-quality education that aligns with workforce needs. She has led the launch of new programs, strengthened governance structures, and collaborated with executive leadership to drive institutional priorities.

Prior to Carrington College, Ravinder held leadership roles at Adtalem Global Education and DeVry University, where she contributed to academic planning, accreditation, and student retention strategies. She has been instrumental in implementing initiatives that support faculty engagement, curriculum development, and operational improvements.

Ravinder holds a Doctorate in Education Policy and Organizational Leadership from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a Master of Arts in Workforce Education from Ohio State University, and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Business Education and Commerce from the University of British Columbia. She is actively involved in accreditation and educational advisory boards, including serving as a Commissioner for the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and as an advisor for Cengage’s Customer Advisory Network. 

Lea Marshall
Associate Vice President of Administration

Lea Marshall is the Associate Vice President of Administration at Carrington College where she provides hands-on leadership and oversight of Human Resources and serves as the Title IX Coordinator. Lea contributes to the ongoing operational decisions that direct the College toward achievement of its mission and strategic plan.

Lea has more than 35 years of experience in Human Resources and has served in Higher Education for more than 25 years. Prior to joining Carrington College, Lea served as Regional Vice President of Human Resources supporting College Campuses across the United States and in Canada. Lea increased her knowledge and skills in College Operations through a former dual role she held as Vice President of Campus Operations and Human Resources. Lea continued to expand her operational knowledge through career development opportunities by serving in interim roles such as Campus President and Regional Director of Operations.

Lea earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and holds her SPHR and SHRM-SCP Human Resources Certifications.

Anthony Romo
Senior Vice President of Student Services

As Senior Vice President of Student Services at Carrington College, Anthony Romo serves a pivotal role in enhancing the student experience across multiple departments including Admissions, Financial Aid, and Career Services. His leadership is instrumental in ensuring a seamless and supportive journey for students from enrollment to workforce readiness.

Before joining Carrington College, Anthony served as Vice President of Enrollment and Graduate Services at San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) for over a decade. During his tenure, he made significant contributions to the institution’s growth and success, leading efforts to streamline financial aid processes and implement strategic initiatives aimed at improving graduate placement rates. Under his leadership, SJVC’s student services departments effectively supported students in their academic and career progression, fostering a culture of achievement and success.

Additionally, his commitment to inclusivity and diversity helped shape a dynamic culture at SJVC. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Anthony was named one of Career Education Review's "Top 20 People Changing Career Education" in 2022 and was honored in Bakersfield Life's "20 Under 40 People to Watch." Anthony continues to play a vital role in enhancing institutional operations and improving student outcomes. His efforts in improving career services performance, developing institutional partnerships, and driving workforce development initiatives have a profound impact on both students and the institution.

Anthony holds a Master of Arts degree in Human Resources Management from National University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton.

Sumer Avila
Provost, Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs

Sumer Avila serves as the Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs at Carrington College, where she provides strategic leadership and oversight of academic programs across all campuses. With more than 14 years of experience in higher education leadership, Sumer is dedicated to advancing academic quality, integrity, and student success.

Before joining Carrington College, Sumer was the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC). In that role, she led regional accreditation and programmatic compliance efforts, supported strategic initiatives, and guided teams responsible for curriculum development, assessment, accreditation, and student resolution. Her passion for faculty development and institutional excellence continues to shape her approach to leadership.

Sumer has held multiple leadership roles throughout her career at SJVC, including Campus Director, Regional Campus President, and Vice Provost. As Vice Provost, she was instrumental in securing eligibility with the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). As Regional Campus President, she launched the Aspiring Leadership Training program to support the professional growth of emerging leaders within the organization.

Sumer holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Organizational Leadership from Brandman University and both a Master of Arts in Education and a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Fresno. She also holds Professional Clear Administrative Services and Multiple Subject Teaching credentials, along with certifications in Cross-cultural, Language, and Academic Development (CLAD) and Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Training.