April 20, 2026
Mesa College’s Dr. Isabel de los Angeles O’Connor Honored with 2025–2026 Carter Doran
Award
By Office of Communications
Dr. Isabel de los Angeles O’Connor, Vice President of Instruction at San Diego Mesa
College and President of the California Community Colleges Chief Instructional Officers,
has been named the 2025–2026 recipient of the Carter Doran Award.
Each year, the CCCCIO Board presents the Carter Doran Award to an outstanding Chief
Instructional Officer who demonstrates leadership from the heart, creativity, sustained
commitment to instructional challenges, and a lasting impact on a college and/or professional
organization.
Dr. O’Connor was selected in recognition of her leadership within the California Community
Colleges system and her contributions to statewide instructional initiatives and CIO
professional practice.
Her work has included significant service to systemwide academic and instructional
efforts, including participation in the Common Course Numbering initiative through
both early taskforce engagement and continued service in leadership structures supporting
implementation efforts designed to improve student mobility and success across colleges.
“Dr. Isabel de los Angeles O’Connor is a transformational leader whose influence extends
across California. From advancing common course numbering to strengthening our baccalaureate
pathways, she has helped shape a more coherent, equitable system for all students,”
said Dr. Ashanti T. Hands, President of San Diego Mesa College.
In addition to her policy and instructional leadership, Dr. O’Connor’s impact extends
through her service within the CCCCIO organization. After serving as President-Elect,
she stepped into the role of President earlier than planned, providing continuity
and steady leadership for the Board during a period of transition and ongoing statewide
collaboration.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Dr. O’Connor. “I am
deeply passionate about my work as a Chief Instructional Officer and the opportunity
it provides to support students, faculty, and colleagues in advancing equitable student
success across our system.”
Dr. O’Connor has served as Vice President of Instruction at Mesa College for several
years following a long career in higher education leadership. Her statewide engagement
includes service within the CCCCIO Board and participation in systemwide governance
and instructional committees supporting academic quality and shared governance.
Colleagues across the system recognize her for her steady leadership, thoughtful inquiry,
and ability to support collaborative decision-making in complex statewide conversations.
Her contributions have helped advance instructional alignment efforts and strengthen
professional collaboration among California’s Chief Instructional Officers.
Dr. O’Connor’s recognition reflects her sustained commitment to the CIO profession
and her broader impact on instructional leadership across the California Community
Colleges system.
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