The Coast Community College District Board of Trustees approved Patricia Falzon as the new Executive Director of College Advancement at its meeting on February 19, 2025. Falzon was selected following an extensive search and will begin in her new role on March 3. She replaces Doug Bennett, who retired in December 2024.
“We are thrilled to welcome Patricia Falzon to Orange Coast College,” says OCC President Dr. Angelica Suarez. “Her extensive experience in higher education and private industry, along with a proven record of securing transformative gifts and fostering lasting donor relationships, will be invaluable as we continue to uplift and inspire students to achieve their educational goals.”
With over two decades of experience working in the Orange County community, Falzon is returning to the OC after serving as Executive Director of Principal Giving for Queen’s University in Ontario Canada since 2020, where she led the university’s principal gifts program, securing an impressive $303 million through gifts ranging from $5 million to $100 million since 2020.
“Patricia Falzon’s passion for philanthropy and strategic leadership make her an excellent individual to lead the OCC Foundation,” says OCC Foundation Board Chair Jeff Hyder. “With a long and successful legacy built through the dedication of a committed Board of Directors and strong community partnerships, the Foundation is well-positioned for continued growth. We look forward to working with Patricia to build on this legacy and create new opportunities that will support student success and transform lives for generations to come.”
Prior to her role at Queen’s University, Falzon led fundraising and community engagement initiatives as a Senior Director of Development with California State University, Fullerton and University of California, Irvine. She has also served as an advancement leader at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa and the Orange County Museum of Art in Newport Beach.
“Orange Coast College has long been a cornerstone of our vibrant local community and one of California’s leading community colleges,” says Falzon. “I am deeply honored to join this thriving campus community and look forward to collaborating with my campus colleagues, the OCC Foundation Board, as well as with supporters and alumni to advance OCC’s legacy of student achievement and community enrichment.”
Falzon holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Toronto and a diploma in Performing Arts Management from Confederation College of Applied Arts.
“We are thrilled to welcome Patricia Falzon to Orange Coast College,” says OCC President Dr. Angelica Suarez. “Her extensive experience in higher education and private industry, along with a proven record of securing transformative gifts and fostering lasting donor relationships, will be invaluable as we continue to uplift and inspire students to achieve their educational goals.”
With over two decades of experience working in the Orange County community, Falzon is returning to the OC after serving as Executive Director of Principal Giving for Queen’s University in Ontario Canada since 2020, where she led the university’s principal gifts program, securing an impressive $303 million through gifts ranging from $5 million to $100 million since 2020.
“Patricia Falzon’s passion for philanthropy and strategic leadership make her an excellent individual to lead the OCC Foundation,” says OCC Foundation Board Chair Jeff Hyder. “With a long and successful legacy built through the dedication of a committed Board of Directors and strong community partnerships, the Foundation is well-positioned for continued growth. We look forward to working with Patricia to build on this legacy and create new opportunities that will support student success and transform lives for generations to come.”
Prior to her role at Queen’s University, Falzon led fundraising and community engagement initiatives as a Senior Director of Development with California State University, Fullerton and University of California, Irvine. She has also served as an advancement leader at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa and the Orange County Museum of Art in Newport Beach.
“Orange Coast College has long been a cornerstone of our vibrant local community and one of California’s leading community colleges,” says Falzon. “I am deeply honored to join this thriving campus community and look forward to collaborating with my campus colleagues, the OCC Foundation Board, as well as with supporters and alumni to advance OCC’s legacy of student achievement and community enrichment.”
Falzon holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Toronto and a diploma in Performing Arts Management from Confederation College of Applied Arts.