OCC Welcomes New Chancellor

Oakland Community College welcomed its seventh chancellor, Dr. Mary S. Spangler, on September 2. During receptions on each of OCC’s five campuses, Dr. Spangler had an opportunity to meet faculty and staff. She’s also visited Lansing, meeting with legislators and discussing the community college funding
formula and the future of Adult Basic Education; and attended community events such as the September 12 Automation Alley Banquet.

Dr. Spangler, who earned a doctorate specializing in higher education from the University of California, Los Angeles, has been involved with higher education for more than 37 years. In 1965, she began teaching English at Los Angeles Valley College. She later moved into the area of student services and then to administration, most recently serving as president of the 18,000-student Los Angeles City College (LACC) from 1997 until 2003.

Dr. Spangler has pioneered the development of entrepreneurial relationships with local business and industry to benefit the college and the community. After assuming leadership at LACC, she strengthened the college financially by conducting a successful fund raising drive to rebuild the aging campus; built relationships with private businesses to enhance college programs; established alliances with local
high schools; and began new programs, including a nursing program, to meet community needs