We call on the RSCCD Board of Trustees to reconsider its decision not to renew the contract for Dr. Maria Dela Cruz and to invest in leaders who have built trust through a proven track record, strong work ethic, and steadfast service to our SAC campus community. During her 10-year tenure, Dr. Dela Cruz has provided stable, visionary leadership through the successful implementation of major statewide legislation, including AB 705, AB 1705, AB 928, and AB 934, ensuring the college remains compliant while advancing equitable student success initiatives. She secured 2.75 million in federal and state grants for student support initiatives, championed the creation of direct student support services via affinity centers, expanded transfer partnerships, directly led the implementation of Guided Pathways, and advanced countless initiatives that improve student success and institutional excellence.
This decision has raised serious concern because leadership should be evaluated carefully, fairly, based on their performance, and only after the Board has considered all relevant facts and perspectives, not by incomplete information, quick judgments, or decisions made without full transparency. We are all affected when a respected leader is asked to leave despite a strong record of service including modeling shared governance. Continued leadership turnover weakens morale, disrupts progress, and makes it harder to recruit and retain dedicated managers who are committed to serving our students and community.
We believe in accountability, but we also believe in fairness. Before making a decision that affects the future our college, the Board should listen to the faculty, staff, students, and community members who have worked alongside Dr. Dela Cruz and witnessed her leadership firsthand. A decision of this magnitude should not be made without fully considering the impact of her contributions and the voices of those who have experienced them.
Invest in leaders, not turnover. We ask the RSCCD Board of Trustees to reconsider this decision and choose stability, transparency, and respect for proven leadership, demonstrated results, and a continued commitment to student success.
Updates
Board Meeting Update
October 3, 2026
Dear SAC Faculty, Staff, Students, and Community Partners, I am writing to share an update from the last Board meeting. The Board announced that "no action" was taken regarding the renewal of my contract. I feel this is a positive step. It means the Board is beginning to ask the right questions, dig deeper, and search for the truth. This momentum is because of you, but our work isn't done yet! If you are able to help, here is how we can keep pushing forward: • Share the petition: Please pass this petition along to your networks so we can collect even more signatures to present at the upcoming October 12 Board meeting. • Offer public comment: If you feel comfortable and appropriate doing so, having your voices heard through public comments at the next meeting would be much appreciated. I truly cannot thank you enough for the overwhelming wave of support you have shown me. I feel incredibly lucky and deeply blessed to walk alongside such a caring and deeply supportive community here at SAC. With all my gratitude, Maria
Reached 250 supporters
September 29, 2026
Thank you Message from Maria Dela Cruz!
September 23, 2026
Dear SAC Colleagues, Students and Community Partners, This Dr. Maria Dela Cruz, Dean of Counseling, thanking you for all your support in signing this petition. Thank you to all who made public comments and showed up in person and online at the Sept. 14th Board meeting. It made a difference! The Board of Trustees has agendized my contract renewal for closed session at the next meeting on Monday, Sept. 28. I would appreciate your continued support by going to the Board meeting in person or online. And if you feel it is appropriate; I would appreciate it if you can make a public comment. These actions can help the Board members go into closed session to hopefully reverse their decision. Additionally, yesterday the Academic Senate passed a resolution titled "Affirming Confidence in Dr. Maria Dela Cruz as Dean of Counseling" which the Senate President will read the Board of Trustee meeting. I want to continue to work with all of you dedicated and committed individuals at Santa Ana College as Dean of Counseling to serve our SAC students. A heartfelt thanks! In gratitude, Maria
We appreciate the overwhelming support!
August 24, 2026
Thank you for taking the time to sign this petition and support the Santa Ana College Counseling Department. We appreciate all the support. We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to stand with us on Monday, September 14th, 2026 at our Board of Trustees meeting as we provide a copy of the petition and all the signatures collected. We will do this wearing black. You are invited to attend via Zoom or in person at 5:30PM. Address: 2323 N. Broadway Santa Ana, CA 92706-1640 Zoom link is available in the meeting agenda website. https://rsccd.edu/BOT/bot-agendas/
Reached 100 supporters
August 7, 2026
138 Comments
Dr dela Cruz has always placed students at the center of the work she does! We need her to continue in her leadership role, so students can accomplish their goals and achieve their dreams!
Mrs. De La Cruz was instrumental in my adaptation to the college life and she is part of the reason I got admitted to UCLA! Not renewing her contract is a big mistake
Dr. Dela Cruz has consistently proven herself to be one of the strongest advocates for students and leaders on campus. From founding the affinity centers to genuinely supporting staff, her leadership sets the standard, which is clear in the deep trust she’s earned from students and faculty. We need her continued vision and dedication as Dean of Counseling.
· petition starter
Counseling-Maria is one of the few Managers in student services that understands shared governance and intentionally partners with faculty.
I support Dr. Dela Cruz!
Dr. de la Cruz is another example of the Administration's attempts to customize a workforce/staff to manipulate and satisfy their needs, rather than those of students, partners and leaders. She has been recognized for her efforts and performance in supporting the values, the vision and the goals of Student Equity and Accountability. Shameful treatment of a student champion. Que vergüenza!
Maria was personally targeted by the chancellor, president and vice president of student services as a retaliation for doing her job and supporting counseling faculty in NOT recommending a recent FT counseling faculty for tenure. They also try to make her a scape goat for a budget shortfall that she had no control over while hypocritically the district is waisting thousands of dollars with lawsuits cause by the bad leadership of the chancellor whicthe board hired and failed to hold accountable.
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We call on the RSCCD Board of Trustees to reconsider its decision not to renew the contract for Dr. Maria Dela Cruz and to invest in leaders who have built trust through a proven track record, strong work ethic, and steadfast service to our SAC campus community. During her 10-year tenure, Dr. Dela Cruz has provided stable, visionary leadership through the successful implementation of major statewide legislation, including AB 705, AB 1705, AB 928, and AB 934, ensuring the college remains compliant while advancing equitable student success initiatives. She secured 2.75 million in federal and state grants for student support initiatives, championed the creation of direct student support services via affinity centers, expanded transfer partnerships, directly led the implementation of Guided Pathways, and advanced countless initiatives that improve student success and institutional excellence.
This decision has raised serious concern because leadership should be evaluated carefully, fairly, based on their performance, and only after the Board has considered all relevant facts and perspectives, not by incomplete information, quick judgments, or decisions made without full transparency. We are all affected when a respected leader is asked to leave despite a strong record of service including modeling shared governance. Continued leadership turnover weakens morale, disrupts progress, and makes it harder to recruit and retain dedicated managers who are committed to serving our students and community.
We believe in accountability, but we also believe in fairness. Before making a decision that affects the future our college, the Board should listen to the faculty, staff, students, and community members who have worked alongside Dr. Dela Cruz and witnessed her leadership firsthand. A decision of this magnitude should not be made without fully considering the impact of her contributions and the voices of those who have experienced them.
Invest in leaders, not turnover. We ask the RSCCD Board of Trustees to reconsider this decision and choose stability, transparency, and respect for proven leadership, demonstrated results, and a continued commitment to student success.
Updates
Board Meeting Update
October 3, 2026
Dear SAC Faculty, Staff, Students, and Community Partners, I am writing to share an update from the last Board meeting. The Board announced that "no action" was taken regarding the renewal of my contract. I feel this is a positive step. It means the Board is beginning to ask the right questions, dig deeper, and search for the truth. This momentum is because of you, but our work isn't done yet! If you are able to help, here is how we can keep pushing forward: • Share the petition: Please pass this petition along to your networks so we can collect even more signatures to present at the upcoming October 12 Board meeting. • Offer public comment: If you feel comfortable and appropriate doing so, having your voices heard through public comments at the next meeting would be much appreciated. I truly cannot thank you enough for the overwhelming wave of support you have shown me. I feel incredibly lucky and deeply blessed to walk alongside such a caring and deeply supportive community here at SAC. With all my gratitude, Maria
Reached 250 supporters
September 29, 2026
Thank you Message from Maria Dela Cruz!
September 23, 2026
Dear SAC Colleagues, Students and Community Partners, This Dr. Maria Dela Cruz, Dean of Counseling, thanking you for all your support in signing this petition. Thank you to all who made public comments and showed up in person and online at the Sept. 14th Board meeting. It made a difference! The Board of Trustees has agendized my contract renewal for closed session at the next meeting on Monday, Sept. 28. I would appreciate your continued support by going to the Board meeting in person or online. And if you feel it is appropriate; I would appreciate it if you can make a public comment. These actions can help the Board members go into closed session to hopefully reverse their decision. Additionally, yesterday the Academic Senate passed a resolution titled "Affirming Confidence in Dr. Maria Dela Cruz as Dean of Counseling" which the Senate President will read the Board of Trustee meeting. I want to continue to work with all of you dedicated and committed individuals at Santa Ana College as Dean of Counseling to serve our SAC students. A heartfelt thanks! In gratitude, Maria
We appreciate the overwhelming support!
August 24, 2026
Thank you for taking the time to sign this petition and support the Santa Ana College Counseling Department. We appreciate all the support. We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to stand with us on Monday, September 14th, 2026 at our Board of Trustees meeting as we provide a copy of the petition and all the signatures collected. We will do this wearing black. You are invited to attend via Zoom or in person at 5:30PM. Address: 2323 N. Broadway Santa Ana, CA 92706-1640 Zoom link is available in the meeting agenda website. https://rsccd.edu/BOT/bot-agendas/
Reached 100 supporters
August 7, 2026
138 Comments
Maria has been a highly effective, competent, and equity-centered leader for the SAC Counseling department for a decade. She has also contributed significantly to SAC's efforts in the areas of Guided Pathways, Student Equity, the establishment of Affinity Programs and Centers, and in creating a collaborative and inclusive culture amongst faculty, classified professionals and administration in the Counseling Division. Her performance does not warrant the non-renewal of her contract.
Dr dela Cruz has always placed students at the center of the work she does! We need her to continue in her leadership role, so students can accomplish their goals and achieve their dreams!
Mrs. De La Cruz was instrumental in my adaptation to the college life and she is part of the reason I got admitted to UCLA! Not renewing her contract is a big mistake
Dr. Dela Cruz has consistently proven herself to be one of the strongest advocates for students and leaders on campus. From founding the affinity centers to genuinely supporting staff, her leadership sets the standard, which is clear in the deep trust she’s earned from students and faculty. We need her continued vision and dedication as Dean of Counseling.
· petition starter
Counseling-Maria is one of the few Managers in student services that understands shared governance and intentionally partners with faculty.
I support Dr. Dela Cruz!
Dr. de la Cruz is another example of the Administration's attempts to customize a workforce/staff to manipulate and satisfy their needs, rather than those of students, partners and leaders. She has been recognized for her efforts and performance in supporting the values, the vision and the goals of Student Equity and Accountability. Shameful treatment of a student champion. Que vergüenza!
Maria was personally targeted by the chancellor, president and vice president of student services as a retaliation for doing her job and supporting counseling faculty in NOT recommending a recent FT counseling faculty for tenure. They also try to make her a scape goat for a budget shortfall that she had no control over while hypocritically the district is waisting thousands of dollars with lawsuits cause by the bad leadership of the chancellor whicthe board hired and failed to hold accountable.
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Maria has been a highly effective, competent, and equity-centered leader for the SAC Counseling department for a decade. She has also contributed significantly to SAC's efforts in the areas of Guided Pathways, Student Equity, the establishment of Affinity Programs and Centers, and in creating a collaborative and inclusive culture amongst faculty, classified professionals and administration in the Counseling Division. Her performance does not warrant the non-renewal of her contract.