Roberto C. Valadez Named New Director of Pathways at COD

With nearly 20 years of experience in leadership and educational roles at community colleges, Roberto C. Valadez brings extensive knowledge and a background in predictive analytics, program assessment and data analysis to his new position as Director of Guided Pathways at College of DuPage.

In his role, Valadez will work with Guided Pathways program leadership to develop, implement and monitor a data-driven comprehensive plan focused on student recruitment, enrollment, success, retention and completion.

Valadez said he is honored to be selected for the position and thrilled to get to know the College community and his colleagues.

“I am excited to support the success of our students and grow the program toward increasing student persistence and completion,” he said. “I am a proud community college graduate and I understand very well the value that a community college can offer its students and the community.”

COD President Dr. Brian Caputo said Valadez’s experience will be invaluable to the College’s work to enhance the student success experience.

“Roberto brings a wealth of knowledge to the College, as well as a strong commitment to education and equity,” he said. “We look forward to seeing the Guided Pathways program continue to flourish and grow under his leadership.”

Valadez comes to COD from San Diego City College, where he was Dean of Student Equity. He has more than 18 years of management experience in community college settings and has worked with guided pathways program integration at multiple institutions including City Colleges of Chicago and San Diego City College. He holds memberships in the Mid-American Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel, the Council for Opportunity in Education and has served as a National Community College Hispanic Council Fellow. Valadez has an Associate of Arts from Harper College, a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in finance from North Park University.

“Starting college as a low-income, first-generation, recent immigrant and English Language Acquisition student, I have the same lived experience as many students at COD,” he said. “As a result, I am sensitive to the many challenges community college students face, including institutional change strategies to support structural racial equity.”

COD Interim Associate Vice President of Assessment and Student Success Nicole Matos said Valadez’s background is well suited to his new role at the College.

“Guided Pathways is as much about bringing together as it is about leading the way,” she said. “Roberto not only has impressive expertise and vision, but also the passion and the patience that these kinds of intensively integrative, collaborative efforts require. I couldn’t be more excited about welcoming him to College of DuPage.”

Learn more about the Guided Pathways program at College of DuPage.