Sam Agdasi

Sam Agdasi has more than 25 years of experience in higher education, with over 15 years spent in community colleges as a faculty member and academic administrator. His career has included work in student success, transfer pathways, STEM fields, career technical education (CTE), applied disciplines, faculty development, and academic program improvement. Sam has focused on keeping programs aligned with transfer expectations and workforce needs while supporting student achievement, institutional effectiveness, and positive long-term outcomes.

Current Role in Academic Leadership

Sam currently serves as Dean of the Business Education Division at Cerritos College in Norwalk, California. He provides leadership for the Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Paralegal, Real Estate, and Business Communication and Office Technology departments. His responsibilities include supporting academic innovation, maintaining program quality, and improving student outcomes. He works with faculty and staff to strengthen instructional practices and help programs remain responsive to both student needs and regional labor market demands.

Administrative and Strategic Responsibilities

Throughout his leadership experience, Sam has managed a wide range of academic and operational responsibilities. His work has included curriculum development, program review, budget planning, and faculty support. He has also led dual enrollment initiatives and developed partnerships with K–12 districts, four-year institutions, and industry. These efforts have helped increase access and strengthen transfer and workforce pathways. Through collaboration and data-informed planning, he has supported program stability, enrollment consistency, and student achievement across different academic areas.

Leadership Across Different Institutions

Before joining Cerritos College, Sam served as Dean of Student Learning for the Business & Industrial Studies Division and the Social Sciences Division at Compton College in Compton, California. He oversaw academic and workforce programs in areas that included business, industrial trades, and social sciences. His administrative experience also includes leadership positions at large California community colleges and at community colleges in the Midwest, including a multi-campus system.

During these roles, he managed multi-million-dollar budgets and supported both institutional and programmatic accreditation. He also helped expand access to instruction through traditional classroom formats and online learning. His work involved overseeing complex academic divisions while aligning educational programs with transfer requirements and workforce priorities. He also contributed to strategic planning initiatives designed to connect college programs with regional economic development goals.

Curriculum Growth and New Program Development

Sam began his career as a faculty member and program chair, where he gained experience in curriculum development and the creation of academic programs. One important initiative involved leading the development of a nanotechnology program supported by National Science Foundation (NSF) funding. The program brought together concepts from science, engineering, health-related fields, and applied technologies.

His career has also included work on grant-supported initiatives funded by the National Science Foundation and workforce development programs such as Strong Workforce and Perkins. Through these efforts, he helped provide students with additional opportunities involving internships, industry partnerships, and career pathways that connected academic preparation with professional development.

Facilities Planning and Institutional Collaboration

In addition to his academic responsibilities, Sam has contributed to facilities planning and large instructional projects intended to improve equitable access to high-quality education. His involvement has included efforts to connect capital investments with long-term academic priorities and industry needs. These projects have supported learning environments designed to improve student preparation and educational outcomes.

Sam Agdasi has also worked with institutional leaders and external partners on projects focused on strengthening instructional infrastructure and improving access to effective learning spaces. His participation in these efforts reflects an approach that connects academic planning, physical resources, and program needs in support of student training and institutional growth.

Engineering Studies and Research Experience

Sam holds a master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Purdue University and a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Sharif University of Technology. His background in engineering and applied sciences provides a technical foundation that continues to influence his approach to academic leadership and program development.

After completing his graduate studies, he worked as a Research Specialist in the Chemistry Department at Purdue University. In this role, he collaborated with an interdisciplinary team of researchers and further developed his analytical and problem-solving skills. His STEM background has supported his work with programs involving STEM, health, technical education, and other applied disciplines.

Promoting Access and Educational Equity

As an immigrant and first-generation college graduate, Sam has personal experience with the role education can play in shaping future opportunities. His professional efforts have focused on expanding access, serving underserved communities, and creating academic and career pathways that can lead to meaningful educational and professional results.

He has maintained a strong focus on helping students prepare for high-demand fields and pursue pathways that can support long-term economic mobility. His work in transfer education, workforce preparation, academic planning, institutional partnerships, and student support reflects this continuing priority.

Community Outreach and Public Service

Sam has remained involved in community service and outreach throughout his career. His activities have included initiatives related to education, public health, and community development. During the pandemic, he participated in efforts involving COVID-19 vaccination clinics and helped coordinate faculty and student work to produce protective equipment for healthcare providers.

His outreach has also included presenting information about emerging technologies to senior citizens, supporting STEM events for K–12 students, and serving as a judge for regional science and engineering fairs. Through these activities, he has helped strengthen relationships between colleges and the communities they serve while supporting public service and student participation.

Professional Development and Honors

Sam has participated in leadership development programs and received recognition during his career in higher education. He is a graduate of the "Great Deans" program offered by the Association of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA).

Earlier in his career, the Chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College selected him to participate in the Ivy Tech Leadership Academy. His contributions at Purdue University were also recognized through an Administrative and Professional Staff Advisory Committee Award. He additionally received recognition for his service as a Wellness Ambassador.

 

Personal Life and Interests

Sam has lived and worked in both Southern California and the Midwest, giving him experience across different communities and educational settings. He currently resides in Long Beach, California.

Outside of his professional work, he is committed to his family and takes an active role in supporting his elderly mother. This responsibility has further influenced his understanding of resilience, responsibility, and the value of reliable support systems.

In his personal time, Sam is interested in animal welfare and wildlife. He also enjoys reading history and watching classic films.

Professional Direction and Future Priorities

Throughout his career, Sam Agdasi has worked to connect academic programs with transfer pathways and workforce needs while supporting stronger institutional practices and student success. His leadership brings together strategic planning, teaching and learning, academic development, and a continued commitment to equitable access in community college education.

Looking ahead, he remains focused on strengthening STEM and CTE programs, expanding partnerships, and helping students move toward their educational and professional goals. Equity continues to guide these efforts as he supports academic pathways designed to respond to student needs, institutional priorities, and changing workforce demands.

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Explore Sam Agdasi Profile on ScholarGPS: https://scholargps.com/scholars/10794634679332/sam-agdasi