Six skilled, dedicated and passionate women form an all-female leadership team for Yuba College and Woodland Community College, the two colleges within the Yuba Community College District (YCCD).

This multi-college district serves roughly 4,200 square miles in Northern California, including Yuba and Sutter counties, along with portions of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Placer, and Yolo counties, providing access
to higher education.

Dr. Tawny Dotson is president of Yuba College and Dr. Lizette Navarette is president of Woodland Community College.

“We are the chief executives of these colleges offering workforce credentials, associate degrees and transfer opportunities to four-year institutions,” says Navarette. “We lead the operations, including an academic mission and a student-support mission and everything in between, setting a clear direction for our entire staff and ensuring effective use of public dollars.”

The role of vice president of instruction is held by Dr. Sam Dana at Yuba College and by Dr. Kathryn Sorensen at Woodland Community College. They are responsible for leading academic programs and academic support services and are directly responsible for faculty. They also create curriculum, deliver certificates and degrees, and oversee instructional support services such as tutoring centers and libraries. 

The position of vice president of student services is held by Karissa Morehouse at Yuba College and Ariana Velasco at Woodland Community College. They oversee all student support service programs, from admissions and records to financial aid and counseling. Both colleges have special student support programs targeting students needing additional support and wraparound services.

“Representation really matters — more than 60% of our students are women, and seeing women in executive roles helps them realize what is possible.”— Dr. Tawny Dotson, President, Yuba College

“Our teams’ ability to work together is pivotal to the success of our colleges and this all-women leadership team has been energizing and inspiring,” says Navarette. “These women all have diverse perspectives, disciplines and lived experiences, and there’s great collaboration, mutual accountability and respect among our teams.” 

As Yuba College nears its 100th anniversary and Woodland Community College nears its 20th anniversary, both are at record enrollment and growing. With the leadership team in the midst of strategic planning, Dotson concludes, “Representation really matters — more than 60% of our students are women, and seeing women in executive roles helps them realize what is possible. As we set our goals for the future, our leadership team is proud to provide that successful example.”