Sam Agdasi’s professional path reflects a long-standing commitment to community college education and student advancement. With over 25 years of experience in higher education, including more than 15 years in community colleges, he has served in roles such as faculty member, program chair, dean, and senior academic administrator, with leadership experience at the vice president level. Across these positions, he has focused on helping students succeed, strengthening transfer pathways, supporting STEM and career technical education (CTE), and advancing applied disciplines. His work shows a clear effort to connect academic programs with transfer standards and workforce demands while maintaining attention to institutional effectiveness and student achievement.
At Compton College in Compton, California, Sam currently serves as the Dean of Student Learning for the Business & Industrial Studies and Social Sciences Divisions. In this position, he provides leadership for a wide range of academic and workforce programs, including business, industrial trades, and social sciences. His approach emphasizes program quality, instructional improvement, and academic innovation. He works closely with faculty and staff to support effective teaching and help programs remain responsive to student needs and regional labor market conditions.
Sam’s responsibilities include both academic leadership and operational oversight. He manages areas such as budget planning, curriculum development, program review, and faculty support. He also leads dual enrollment initiatives and builds partnerships with K–12 districts, four-year institutions, and industry. These efforts help expand access for students and strengthen both transfer and workforce pathways. Through collaborative leadership and data-informed decision-making, he has contributed to improved program sustainability, enrollment stability, and student success across different disciplines.
Before his current appointment, Former Vice President Sam Agdasi held leadership roles at large community colleges in California and in the Midwest, including a multi-campus system. In those settings, he managed multi-million-dollar budgets, supported institutional and programmatic accreditations, and helped expand instructional delivery through both traditional and online formats. His experience includes leading complex academic divisions and aligning educational offerings with transfer requirements and workforce priorities. He has also participated in strategic planning efforts that connect academic programs with regional economic development goals.
Earlier in his career, Sam worked as a faculty member and program chair, helping develop new curricula and establish academic programs. One of his notable accomplishments was leading the development of a nanotechnology program supported by National Science Foundation (NSF) funding. This program integrated concepts from science, engineering, health-related fields, and applied technologies. He also contributed to other grant-funded initiatives, including projects supported by the National Science Foundation and workforce development programs such as Strong Workforce and Perkins, helping create more opportunities through internships, industry partnerships, and career pathways.
Sam Agdasi holds a master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Purdue University and a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Sharif University of Technology. After graduate studies, he worked as a Research Specialist in the Chemistry Department at Purdue University. As an immigrant and first-generation college graduate, he brings a personal understanding of the value of education. Based in Compton, California, he continues to support stronger pathways, broader access, and meaningful outcomes for students pursuing academic and professional progress.
