Retain Proven Leadership for Student Success at SAC

Marlene Adame

Support SAC Students!!!

Daniel Cristobal

Dr. Maria Dela Cruz has been an exceptional leader and an integral part of Santa Ana College’s growth over the past 10 years. She leads with compassion, balance, and a clear commitment to student success while creating a culture of trust and collaboration. I have personally benefited from Maria’s leadership. She has encouraged me to find my voice, grow as a professional, and become more involved across our campus. Maria invests in people and our community. I strongly urge the Board to reconsider

Osiel Madrigal

Dr. De la Cruz, in the spaces that I’ve had the honor to collaborate with her, such as the Guided Pathways Steering Committee, demonstrated to be an advocate of DEIA which is key considering the student population we serve. In addition, she was supportive of noncredit initiatives & activities which I & many other Continuing Education faculty appreciated. Her service to our college & most importantly our students is something that should be celebrated; not stained by not renewing her contract.

Stephen Sparrow

I strongly urge you to retain Dr. Maria Dela Cruz as Dean of Counseling at Santa Ana College. I recently worked with Dr. Dela Cruz during a joint Santa Ana College and University of Alaska Fairbanks intensive research experience for students. I found her to be a knowledgeable and effective leader and I think I can confidently say she is an asset to Santa Ana College Stephen Sparrow Professor Emeritus & retired Dean at University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Natural Resources and Extension

Gilbert Crespo

Coming from a student I first met Maria Dela Cruz in my Research trip in Alaska. Even though I had only known her for a week in alaska. I know how much she means to SAC and how much she'll be willing to go through helping her community too. I hope that she is able to stay at SAC and willing to help us futher more.

Maria Yamilet Hanson

Counseling Faculty supporting Dr. DeLa Cruz

Javier FOCHESATTO

I strongly support retaining Dr. Maria dela Cruz. During an intensive UAF research program with Santa Ana College MESA and Honors Climate Scholars, I saw Maria go far beyond leading the cohort. As a social scientist, she mentored a psychology student whose research and final presentation were among the strongest of the program. Maria brought expertise we at UAF could not provide and made a remarkable impact on students and faculty alike. Definitely keep Maria!

Leo Pastrana

Dr. Maria Dela Cruz is an exemplary leader in our campus community. For ten years, she has shown unwavering devotion to the students of Santa Ana College. Under her leadership, the University Transfer Center and SAC Promise programs have grown and thrived — a direct result of her strategic insight and collaborative leadership. Dr. Dela Cruz is a true servant leader. She leads with humility, never seeking credit for herself, and instead consistently elevating the work of her team and colleagues.

Ha Le

Dr De la Cruz is a great leader. She’s considerate, personable and caring for students and staff.

Shannon Muir

Counseling Faculty supporting Dr. Dela Cruz

Maria Sanchez

Retain Proven Leadership for Student Success at SAC

Angela Brown

I have had the pleasure of working with Maria since she was hired at SAC. She is a strong leader and an advocate for students.

Reina Sanabria

María has consistently demonstrated professionalism and has always acted ethically. All of her actions are guided by what is best for students and SAC as a whole.

Van Nguyen

I’m Counseling faculty-support Maria to continue her position as Dean of Counseling.

Maria Moreno

Maria DeLaCruz is one of the few Dean that demonstrates strong leadership, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to supporting students, faculty, and staff!

Michelle Macintyre

Counseling. Maria has been my Dean and supervisor for nearly a decade. She provides consistency and stability for our Division. She balances firmness while also building relationships with all of her staff, faculty and across campus. We are a very large group and not always that easy to deal with, but somehow she still manages to do it successfully.

Francisco Mora

Best boss I could ever ask for! This must be a mistake.

Linh Tran

I’m a student at SAC and also a part of MESA-SAC. Dr. Dela Cruz has done so much for our program and given us a bunch of opportunities to grow and find our path. She always prioritizes the students’ need and cares about her students.

Michelle Kimmel

I have worked with Dr. Dela Cruz since 2018 when the Child Development and Education Studies Department piloted the Future Educators CAP as part of Guided Pathway. She is a collaborative leader who is dedicated to supporting SAC students and programs.

Gerardo Contreras

I have had the pleasure of working with Maria Dela Cruz since her arrival at SAC. I admire her commitment to students, student program development, successful grant awards, innovative ideas and practices, and leadership. I ask the BOT to reconsider their decision and provide Maria with the dignity, respect, and opportunity to continue doing great work for SAC students.