Orange Coast College has announced three new academic deans as part of a strategic reorganization of its instructional divisions. The restructure is designed to respond to workforce needs and better align the college's academic programs with students' educational and career goals.
Kelly Clark-Holt, Ed.D., will serve as Dean of Health Sciences; Wendi Dykes McGehee, Ph.D., as Dean of Business and Consumer Sciences; and Agnes J. Eguaras as Dean of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Together, these appointments complete a significant restructuring of Orange Coast College's instructional leadership team.
The new division structure reflects the college's commitment to preparing students for high-demand careers while maintaining excellence in the foundational transfer disciplines that serve the largest number of students.
"Community colleges today must do both exceptionally well," said Dr. Tara Giblin, instructional vice president at Orange Coast College. "We must prepare students for immediate entry into high-demand careers while also providing outstanding transfer education. Our new instructional structure recognizes the importance of both missions. By creating divisions that better align related disciplines, we can strengthen collaboration, respond more quickly to workforce needs, and provide an even better experience for our students."
The reorganization places OCC’s rapidly growing healthcare programs into a dedicated Health Sciences Division, recognizing the increasing demand for healthcare professionals throughout Southern California. Business, hospitality, culinary arts, fashion, interior design, and other industry-focused disciplines are brought together within the Business and Consumer Sciences Division, strengthening partnerships with employers and supporting innovation across workforce education. The Social and Behavioral Sciences Division brings together many of the college's largest transfer disciplines, with the Library, supporting student success.
Each of the new deans brings extensive experience aligned with the mission of their division.
Kelly Clark-Holt has served Orange Coast College since 2012 as a faculty member, clinical coordinator, instructional leader, and most recently Interim Dean of Consumer and Health Sciences. A nationally recognized expert in radiologic technology, she brings more than two decades of experience in healthcare, higher education, accreditation, and workforce preparation.
Wendi Dykes McGehee joins Orange Coast College after serving in executive leadership roles at Indiana Wesleyan University and Azusa Pacific University, where she led innovation in business education, organizational development, executive leadership, AI initiatives, and industry partnerships. Her experience spans higher education, workforce development, and organizational transformation, making her uniquely positioned to lead career-focused academic programs.
Agnes J. Eguaras comes to Orange Coast College from Glendale Community College, where she served as Dean of Instructional Services overseeing multiple instructional divisions and strategic enrollment initiatives. Her career includes extensive leadership in curriculum development, student success, enrollment management, instructional planning, grants, and faculty support across California community colleges.
The appointments become effective as Orange Coast College begins implementing its new instructional division structure for the 2026-27 academic year.
Kelly Clark-Holt, Ed.D., will serve as Dean of Health Sciences; Wendi Dykes McGehee, Ph.D., as Dean of Business and Consumer Sciences; and Agnes J. Eguaras as Dean of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Together, these appointments complete a significant restructuring of Orange Coast College's instructional leadership team.
The new division structure reflects the college's commitment to preparing students for high-demand careers while maintaining excellence in the foundational transfer disciplines that serve the largest number of students.
"Community colleges today must do both exceptionally well," said Dr. Tara Giblin, instructional vice president at Orange Coast College. "We must prepare students for immediate entry into high-demand careers while also providing outstanding transfer education. Our new instructional structure recognizes the importance of both missions. By creating divisions that better align related disciplines, we can strengthen collaboration, respond more quickly to workforce needs, and provide an even better experience for our students."
The reorganization places OCC’s rapidly growing healthcare programs into a dedicated Health Sciences Division, recognizing the increasing demand for healthcare professionals throughout Southern California. Business, hospitality, culinary arts, fashion, interior design, and other industry-focused disciplines are brought together within the Business and Consumer Sciences Division, strengthening partnerships with employers and supporting innovation across workforce education. The Social and Behavioral Sciences Division brings together many of the college's largest transfer disciplines, with the Library, supporting student success.
Each of the new deans brings extensive experience aligned with the mission of their division.
Kelly Clark-Holt has served Orange Coast College since 2012 as a faculty member, clinical coordinator, instructional leader, and most recently Interim Dean of Consumer and Health Sciences. A nationally recognized expert in radiologic technology, she brings more than two decades of experience in healthcare, higher education, accreditation, and workforce preparation.
Wendi Dykes McGehee joins Orange Coast College after serving in executive leadership roles at Indiana Wesleyan University and Azusa Pacific University, where she led innovation in business education, organizational development, executive leadership, AI initiatives, and industry partnerships. Her experience spans higher education, workforce development, and organizational transformation, making her uniquely positioned to lead career-focused academic programs.
Agnes J. Eguaras comes to Orange Coast College from Glendale Community College, where she served as Dean of Instructional Services overseeing multiple instructional divisions and strategic enrollment initiatives. Her career includes extensive leadership in curriculum development, student success, enrollment management, instructional planning, grants, and faculty support across California community colleges.
The appointments become effective as Orange Coast College begins implementing its new instructional division structure for the 2026-27 academic year.