Biography of Sam Agdasi
Sam Agdasi has more than 25 years of experience in higher education, including over 15 years in community colleges as a faculty member and academic administrator. His professional work has focused on student achievement, transfer pathways, STEM fields, career technical education (CTE), applied disciplines, faculty support, and academic program development. Sam has worked to connect college programs with transfer expectations and workforce needs while supporting institutional effectiveness and long-term student outcomes.
Current Role at Cerritos College Sam currently serves as Dean of the Business Education Division at Cerritos College in Norwalk, California. In this position, he provides leadership for the Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Paralegal, Real Estate, and Business Communication and Office Technology departments. His responsibilities include supporting program quality, academic innovation, and student outcomes. He works closely with faculty and staff to strengthen instruction and help programs remain responsive to student needs and regional labor market demands.
Academic Leadership and Operational Oversight Throughout his administrative career, Sam has managed a wide range of academic and operational responsibilities. These have included budget planning, curriculum development, program review, and faculty support. He has also led dual enrollment initiatives and built partnerships with K–12 districts, four-year institutions, and industry. These efforts have helped expand access while strengthening transfer and workforce pathways. Through collaboration and data-informed planning, he has supported enrollment stability, program sustainability, and student success across multiple disciplines.
Experience Across Higher Education 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. In that role, he oversaw a broad range of academic and workforce programs, including business, industrial trades, and social sciences. His leadership experience also includes positions at large community colleges in California and at community colleges in the Midwest, including a multi-campus system. Across these roles, he managed multi-million-dollar budgets, supported institutional and programmatic accreditation, and expanded instructional delivery through both traditional and online formats. His work involved leading complex academic divisions and ensuring that educational programs remained aligned with transfer requirements and workforce priorities. He also participated in strategic planning efforts that linked academic offerings with regional economic development goals.
Curriculum Development and Program Creation Sam began his career as a faculty member and program chair, where he developed curricula and helped establish new academic programs. One major initiative involved leading the development of a nanotechnology program supported by National Science Foundation (NSF) funding. The program integrated concepts from science, engineering, health-related fields, and applied technologies.
His career has also included work on grant-funded initiatives supported by the National Science Foundation and workforce development programs such as Strong Workforce and Perkins. Through these efforts, he helped expand student opportunities through internships, industry partnerships, and career pathways that connected academic learning with workforce preparation.
Facilities Planning and Institutional Support In addition to his academic responsibilities, Sam has participated in facilities planning and large-scale instructional initiatives intended to improve equitable access to high-quality education. His involvement has helped connect capital investments with long-term academic priorities and industry needs. These projects have supported learning environments designed to strengthen student training and educational outcomes. He has collaborated with institutional leaders and external partners on projects focused on improving instructional infrastructure and increasing access to quality learning spaces. His work in this area reflects the importance of ensuring that physical resources support academic programs and contribute to effective teaching and learning.
Engineering Education and Research Background 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 academic preparation in engineering and applied sciences has provided a technical foundation that continues to influence his approach to higher education leadership. Following his graduate studies, he worked as a Research Specialist in the Chemistry Department at Purdue University. In that role, he collaborated with an interdisciplinary team of researchers and further developed his analytical and problem-solving skills. His STEM background has continued to support his work with programs in STEM, health, technical education, and other applied disciplines.
Commitment to Access and Equity As an immigrant and first-generation college graduate, Sam brings personal experience to his understanding of the opportunities education can create. His professional work has focused on expanding access, supporting underserved communities, and developing academic and career pathways that can lead to meaningful educational and professional outcomes. He has remained especially focused on helping students prepare for high-demand fields and pursue opportunities that can contribute to long-term economic mobility. His work in transfer education, workforce programs, academic planning, partnerships, and student support reflects this continuing commitment.
Community Service and Outreach Sam Agdasi has remained involved in community service and outreach throughout his career, including initiatives connected with education, public health, and community development. During the pandemic, he participated in efforts involving COVID-19 vaccination clinics and helped coordinate faculty and student activities to produce protective equipment for healthcare providers. His outreach work 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 and other service efforts, he has helped strengthen connections between colleges and the communities they serve while supporting public service and student engagement.
Professional Recognition and Leadership Programs Sam has participated in professional development and leadership programs during his higher education career. 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 work at Purdue University was also recognized through an Administrative and Professional Staff Advisory Committee Award, along with recognition for his service as a Wellness Ambassador.
Personal Background and Interests Sam has lived and worked in Southern California and the Midwest, giving him experience with different communities and higher education environments. He currently resides in Long Beach, California. Outside of his professional responsibilities, he is dedicated to his family and plays an active role in supporting his elderly mother. This responsibility has further shaped his perspective on resilience, responsibility, and the importance of dependable support systems. In his personal time, Sam is interested in animal welfare and wildlife. He also enjoys reading history and watching classic films.
Continuing Professional Focus Throughout his career, Sam Agdasi has worked to connect academic programs with transfer pathways and workforce needs while supporting institutional effectiveness and student success. His leadership approach combines strategic planning, teaching and learning, academic program 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 achieve their educational and professional goals. Equity continues to guide his work as he supports academic pathways that respond to student needs, institutional priorities, and evolving workforce demands.