Meet Leo Orange. Leo heads up our Educational Assistance Center (EAC), which supports students who have a wide range of disabilities (visible or not) by providing reasonable learning accommodations, exam space, and other services. He also heads up our Veterans’ Center, which helps student veterans navigate our educational programs and provides them a space to relax, study, and hang out on campus. For over two decades, Leo has helped democratize Oxnard College’s services so that all students can access our high-quality education and achieve their full potential.
After earning his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling from CSU Los Angeles, he began teaching at his alma mater. Later on, after running our EAC program for many years, Leo was tasked with running our District’s first Veterans’ Center right here at Oxnard College in order to serve our community’s servicemembers, veterans, and military families. Leo is one of the many unsung champions for students here at Oxnard College and we are indebted to him for his years of service.
“I feel extremely fortunate to work with my colleagues at the EAC and Veterans’ Center because the work we do to help students achieve their goals is so vital and rewarding,” shared Leo. “In all of our work, I like to embrace the philosophy of “There can be no excuses. If one is to be happy and successful in life never follow a dollar, always follow your dreams.’” We’re proud of the hardworking men and women doing just that while working alongside Leo. They include Della Newlow, Candice Wittkins, Colleen Gladden, Jennifer Ruppert, John Elmer, Patricia Cowen, Joanne Chang, Jose Torres, and America Borroso. Thanks for all that you do!
So if you’re a student with a disability or you’re a military veteran, be sure to stop by the EAC or Veterans Center. And please remember that many injuries are invisible. For example, if you have hearing impairments, autism, learning disabilities, mental health or intellectual challenges, the EAC is here to support you as well. You can reach the EAC at 805-678-5830 or oceac@vcccd.edu and you can contact our Veterans’ Center at 805-678-5845 or america_barroso1@vcccd.edu.