Valencia College Executive and Leadership Team

Oscar Cristancho, the Chief Financial Officer at Valencia College, manages the fiscal health and budgetary planning for the institution. Overseeing long-term financial sustainability, the Chief Financial Officer directs resource allocation to support academic programs and campus infrastructure. This leadership role involves analyzing economic trends to ensure the college maintains operational efficiency across all Florida campuses. By implementing rigorous financial controls, Oscar Cristancho secures the necessary funding to advance educational initiatives. Cristancho monitors revenue streams and expenditure patterns to align fiscal policies with the broader mission of student success. Through strategic oversight of the budget, the Chief Financial Officer provides the stability required for institutional growth. Cristancho maintains transparency in financial reporting, ensuring accountability to stakeholders while optimizing the use of public and private resources to sustain the high standards of the college.

Nissa Hopkins, the EAP Professor and Faculty Association President at Valencia College, represents the interests of the teaching staff while maintaining a focus on English for Academic Purposes. Overseeing faculty advocacy and professional development initiatives, the Faculty Association President ensures that academic voices remain central to institutional decision-making. This leadership role involves facilitating communication between the faculty and the administration to promote collaborative governance. By championing pedagogical excellence, Nissa Hopkins drives improvements in teaching standards and classroom outcomes. Hopkins manages the Faculty Association agenda to address concerns regarding workload, resources, and academic freedom. Through active engagement with the academic community, the Faculty Association President fosters a culture of shared responsibility and professional growth. Hopkins works to align faculty needs with the strategic objectives of the college, ensuring that the teaching staff remains empowered to deliver high-quality education to a diverse student body.

Jesse Kane, the President, VA Mentorship Program at Valencia College, directs the strategic development and implementation of student support initiatives. Overseeing the mentorship framework, the President, VA Mentorship Program ensures that students receive the guidance necessary for academic and career success. This leadership role involves building partnerships with industry professionals to provide real-world insights to the student body. By coordinating mentorship activities, Jesse Kane drives student retention and engagement efforts. Kane manages the recruitment and training of mentors to ensure high-quality interactions that support the diverse needs of the learners. Through the expansion of the mentorship network, the President, VA Mentorship Program creates pathways for professional development and networking. Kane aligns the program goals with the broader mission of the college, ensuring that every student has access to the support systems required to thrive in a competitive academic and professional landscape.

Kathleen Plinske, the President at Valencia College, provides the overarching strategic vision and executive leadership for the entire institution. Overseeing the implementation of academic policies and long-term growth initiatives, the President ensures that the college remains a leader in community-based education. This leadership role involves collaborating with the Board of Trustees and executive staff to define the institutional mission and priorities. By driving innovation in curriculum and student services, Kathleen Plinske ensures that the college meets the evolving needs of the Florida workforce. Plinske manages the institutional budget and resource allocation to support the strategic plan. Through the promotion of inclusive excellence, the President fosters a campus culture dedicated to student success and community impact. Plinske represents the college in regional and national forums, advocating for policies that enhance access to higher education and support the professional development of the entire student body.

Jamie Rost, the Chief Information Officer at Valencia College, architects the digital infrastructure and technological framework supporting the entire academic community. Overseeing cybersecurity protocols and data management systems, the Chief Information Officer ensures seamless access to learning resources for students and faculty. This leadership role involves integrating advanced software solutions to enhance administrative efficiency and classroom engagement. By modernizing network capabilities, Jamie Rost drives the digital transformation necessary for a competitive educational environment. Rost manages the deployment of enterprise-level technology to support remote and on-campus learning experiences. Through the implementation of robust IT policies, the Chief Information Officer protects institutional data integrity. Rost coordinates with academic departments to align technological investments with pedagogical goals, ensuring that the college remains at the forefront of educational innovation while maintaining reliable, scalable systems for the entire campus network.

Graham Garner, the Chief Communications Officer at Valencia College, directs the institutional messaging and public relations strategy to strengthen the brand presence. Overseeing internal and external communications, the Chief Communications Officer manages the narrative surrounding academic achievements and community partnerships. This leadership role involves crafting targeted campaigns that highlight the value of the college to prospective students and regional employers. By coordinating media relations and digital outreach, Graham Garner ensures consistent messaging across all platforms. Garner monitors public perception and engagement metrics to refine communication tactics. Through the development of comprehensive outreach strategies, the Chief Communications Officer fosters strong relationships with local stakeholders and the broader Florida community. Garner aligns communication efforts with the strategic goals of the institution, ensuring that the mission of accessibility and excellence remains central to the public identity of the college.

Shaun Andrews, the Chief Operations Officer at Valencia College, manages the daily logistical functions and facility operations that sustain the campus environment. Overseeing campus safety, maintenance, and auxiliary services, the Chief Operations Officer ensures that all physical and operational systems function at peak performance. This leadership role involves optimizing space utilization and resource management to support a growing student population. By streamlining administrative processes, Shaun Andrews drives operational excellence across all departments. Andrews coordinates with facilities management to maintain high standards for learning spaces and common areas. Through the implementation of efficient operational workflows, the Chief Operations Officer supports the overall mission of providing a safe and productive educational setting. Andrews monitors operational metrics to identify areas for improvement, ensuring that the college maintains a high-quality environment that facilitates student learning and faculty productivity throughout the region.