EAC Faculty and Staff

Leo Orange, Coordinator EAC & Vet Center

LOrange@vcccd.edu

Leo Orange is the Coordinator of the Educational Assistants Center and the Veteran Resource Center. He is a person living and working with severe disabilities and has dedicated his life to his family, friends, and serving people with disabilities. As an educator he has had the pleasure of working as an Interim Dean of Student Services and before coming to Oxnard College was an Adjunct Professor at California State University, Los Angeles for six years teaching undergraduate and graduate classes in counseling and rehabilitation services.

He is a passionate reader and writer and has authored and co-authored 20 book chapters, 8 referred and 9 non-referred articles. The proud recipient of 16 awards and the 2007 H. B. McDaniel Hall of Fame Award at Stanford University, for outstanding contribution in the field of Counseling and Guidance.  He believes that once someone finds purpose in their life, they have the opportunity to empower themselves and others and to be happy and productive.

Office Hours

Monday - Wednesday: 8:00a - 5:00p
Thursday and Friday: 8:00a - 5:00p (remote)

Della Newlow, Instructional Faculty/LD Specialist

dnewlow@vcccd.edu

Della Newlow is a Learning Disability Specialist at Oxnard College. In her classes at Oxnard College, she encourages her students to reach out and try, and then try again. She believes in every person’s ability to push through their discomfort and anxiety related to learning to find joy, fun, and meaning as they pursue their education.

On campus, she is an active member of the Academic Senate fiercely advocating for students with disabilities. She currently is the Sabbatical Chair. In the past, she has served as co-chair of the Campus Use and Safety Committee and as an Academic Senate Treasurer.  

Office Hours

TBA in the Spring

Patricia Cowan, Instructional Faculty

PCowan@vcccd.edu

Patricia has been a Professor at Oxnard College for eleven years. She takes joy in teaching, and it shows. She has an effective manner of interacting with students and meeting them where they are to help them experience academic success and achieve their academic goals. Prior to Oxnard College, Patricia worked as a school administrator for an alternative high school and taught elementary school for twelve years.

Patricia has a Bachelor's Degree from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon where she studied Communications and a Master's Degree in Education from Claremont Graduate School. 

Office Hours

By appointment only. Please contact Patricia directly to set up an appointment to meet.

Steve Turner, Instructional Faculty

STurner@vcccd.edu

Steve Turner has been a tenacious supporter of diverse individuals with disabilities for more than two decades. Beginning his teaching with community nonprofits and various government agencies, Steve supports equity, access, and inclusion universally. Steve is known for finding individual strengths, providing increased access, and for his patience in connecting with students.

Steve has his Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and sees the tremendous benefits of working in the community and providing access to higher education by helping students break down barriers at Ventura College and Oxnard College.

Office Hours

By appointment only.  Please contact Steve directly to set up an appointment to meet.

Joanne Chang, Instructional Faculty

Joanne_chang1@vcccd.edu

Joanne Chang is an Oxnard College Alumni and has been working as a Part-Time Professor for the Educational Assistance Center (EAC) since 2017. She has also concurrently worked as an Educational Specialist Teacher at Adolfo Camarillo High School since 2003. Joanne has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Human Resource Management, a Master's in Public Administration, and a Master's in Special Education Mild/Moderate Disabilities. She also holds an Administrative Services Credential.

When she’s not working, she volunteers at local Food Share agencies and helps with food distributions. She enjoys spending time with families and her two pet parrots (Sky and Little Rascal). Joanne’s favorite quote by Pablo Picasso is: “The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.”

Office Hours

By appointment only. Please contact Joanne directly to set up an appointment to meet.

Cynthia Navarro, Counselor

cnavarro@vcccd.edu

Cynthia has committed her professional life to advocating for the overall well-being and support of students with disabilities. She is dedicated to promoting equity for all, and is an active member serving on the districtwide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workgroup; in addition to Curriculum at Oxnard College. As a community college graduate, Cynthia transferred and went on to earn a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and later, continued to become a Learning Disabilities Specialist. Her goal is to ensure that all students with disabilities, know their rights and are equipped to not only succeed but enjoy their journey through postsecondary education.

When Cynthia isn’t working, she enjoys listening to podcasts, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

Office Hours

Monday: 8:00a - 4:30p
Tuesday: 8:00a - 4:30p (remote)
Wednesday: 8:00a - 4:30p
Thursday: 8:00a - 4:30p (remote)

Jennifer Ruppert, Counselor

jruppert@vcccd.edu

"Hello and welcome to the EAC Department at Oxnard College. I am honored and privileged to have chosen a career where I get to assist students every day. My area of expertise and passion is assisting individuals with disabilities. Although I have 24 years-experience with counseling students throughout K-12 and college, I have been a counselor at OC for almost 5 years and I enjoy the collaboration with other departments and the community of lifelong learners.

"I am available to help guide and assist you with your education, college transfer, and career path. I can assist you with course selection, creating education plans, and making sure you receive the accommodations you need for success. I look forward to meeting with you and assisting you in any way I can."

Office Hours

Monday: 8:00a - 2:30p (remote)
Tuesday - Wednesday: 8:00a - 2:30p
Thursday: 8:00a - 1:00p (remote)

Stacey Gould, LD Specialist

sgould@vcccd.edu

Candice Wittkins, DSPS Specialist/ASL Interpreter

Candice_wittkins@vcccd.edu

"I am a nationally certified (NIC) ASL interpreter through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. I have two B.A. degrees from California State University, Northridge: one in Deaf Studies with a concentration in Interpreting and the other in Communication Studies.

"My job is to work with the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students to ensure they receive the support they need to reach their academic goals. It is my privilege to work at Oxnard College and to partner with faculty and staff to create an atmosphere that is welcoming and supportive of Deaf Culture."

Office Hours

Monday - Thursday: 8:00a - 5:00p
Friday: 8:00a - 5:00p (remote)

Nate Streeper, Alternate Media Specialist

nstreeper@vcccd.edu

Nate Streeper is the Alternative Media Specialist for the Educational Assistance Center. Prior to Oxnard College, he was the Adaptive Technology Specialist for UCSB, and prior to that, he was the Talking Book Library Coordinator for Braille Institute. He enjoys connecting students with alternate media and assistive technology, and he is a fierce advocate for universal design.

In his downtime, Nate's an avid reader/writer of science fiction and comic books, a passionate runner on both hills and flatlands, and a proud father of two cats and a dog.

Office Hours

Monday - Wednesday: 8:00a - 5:00p
Thursday and Friday: 8:00a - 5:00p (remote)

Colleen Gladden, Administrative Assistant

cgladden@vcccd.edu

Colleen Gladden has been the Administrative Assistant at the Oxnard College EAC since 2019. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University, she has spent most of her professional career in the recreation and hospitality field in San Diego. Colleen is originally from Ventura County and moved back to the area to be closer to family in 2018.

When Colleen’s not working she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two young daughters, reading, bike riding, going to the beach and planning adventures.

Alicia Valdez, Office Assistant

alicia_valdez1@vcccd.edu

Alicia Valdez began her higher education journey at Oxnard College. She was a student worker and a student athlete, playing for the women’s soccer team. Go Condors! After completing her AA, she transferred to CSU Channel Islands where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies. She then continued her education at Cal Lutheran University where she received her Master’s in Counseling and College Student Personnel.

Alicia has worked in education for over 10 years, both in K-12 and at the higher education level. She has experience supporting students from various backgrounds, including low-income, first generation, foster youth, students with disabilities, and English learners. Alicia is passionate about supporting students at OC and is dedicated to helping them succeed. She enjoys spending time with her family, playing soccer, and being outdoors.