From the President
New Vice President of Workforce Innovation and Economic Advancement
June 26, 2025
Dear De Anza College Community,
I am pleased to announce the advancement of Randy Bryant from Dean of Career Technical Education to Vice President of Workforce Innovation and Economic Advancement, effective July 1 and recently board-approved. This promotion prioritizes our commitment
to further supporting economic and social mobility for our students, while remaining
responsive to the ever-changing needs of business and industry. It also recognizes
Randy's exceptional leadership, vision and unwavering commitment to workforce development
and career technical education at De Anza.
Randy brings nearly 24 years of dedicated service to De Anza College, having joined our institution in September 2001. His career trajectory demonstrates a deep understanding of our mission and an evolving expertise in workforce development. Randy began as an Automotive Technology instructor and quickly distinguished himself as a leader, serving as department chair from 2010 to 2016. During this time, he successfully managed grants totaling over $500,000 and implemented innovative pathways, including a transfer scholarship program for Auto Tech students to study mechanical engineering at San José State University.
Randy's commitment to shared governance and institutional leadership became evident through his extensive service in the Academic Senate, where he served as vice president from 2011-2016 and president from July to September 2016. He played pivotal roles on numerous committees, including co-chairing the Instructional Planning and Budget Team and the Program Viability Committee, while serving as a voting member of College Council.
His transition to administrative leadership began in 2016 when he served as acting dean of Business, Computer Science and Applied Technologies Division. In July 2017, Randy became the Strong Workforce coordinator before advancing to his most recent role as dean of Career Technical Education in March 2019.
As dean of CTE, Randy has demonstrated exceptional fiscal responsibility, managing a $6.5 million budget while representing De Anza College in Strong Workforce efforts at the state level through the Bay Area Community College Consortium. His collaborative approach has fostered partnerships with local adult education schools, workforce boards and industry organizations, helping to keep our programs aligned with regional economic needs. Randy's leadership extends beyond our campus through his service on the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Education and DEI committees and his board membership with the Silicon Valley Clean Cities Organization.
In his new role as vice president, Randy will serve as the Chief Workforce Development Officer of the college and adviser to the President. He will provide strategic vision and leadership in developing high-quality workforce development and career technical education programs that advance economic growth and global competitiveness through innovative collaborations and business partnerships.
Randy's responsibilities will encompass developing comprehensive plans for workforce development programming, including new credit, baccalaureate, noncredit and contract education programs. He will support initiatives in competency-based education and credit for prior learning while ensuring our programs meet evolving workforce needs. His role will include fiscal accountability for federal and state workforce development funding, including Perkins, Strong Workforce Program, California Adult Education Program and Employment Training Panel allocations. Randy will continue building partnerships with regional economic development organizations, including the Bay Area Community College Consortium, Silicon Valley Economic Development Alliance and various chambers of commerce.
Additionally, Randy will provide leadership in developing career services, internship programs, and apprenticeship opportunities while ensuring compliance with all federal, state and accreditation standards. His commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, antiracism and belonging will support our faculty in developing innovative new programs that serve all members of our community.
Randy's promotion reflects not only his individual achievements but also our institutional and district commitment to workforce development and community partnership. His deep understanding of our college culture, combined with his proven track record of innovation and collaboration working with business and industry, positions him perfectly to lead our workforce development initiatives into the future.
Please join me in congratulating Randy on this well-deserved opportunity. His leadership will be instrumental in advancing De Anza College's mission to provide transformative education and training that meets the evolving needs of our students and regional workforce.
Sincerely,
Omar
Omar Torres, Ed.D.
President, De Anza College