Sam Agdasi

Known for his steady leadership in higher education, Sam Agdasi has spent more than 25 years strengthening academic programs and supporting student progress. He has more than 15 years of experience in community colleges, serving in roles including faculty member, program chair, dean, and senior academic administrator. He has held service at the vice president level. Former Vice President Sam Agdasi has focused on student success, transfer pathways, STEM education, career technical education (CTE), and applied disciplines. His work has consistently reflected a practical effort to align academic offerings with transfer expectations and workforce needs while supporting institutional effectiveness and long-term student outcomes.

Sam currently serves as the Dean of Student Learning for the Business & Industrial Studies and Social Sciences Divisions at Compton College in Compton, California. In this role, he provides leadership for a broad portfolio of academic and workforce programs that include business, industrial trades, and social sciences. His leadership emphasizes program quality, instructional improvement, academic innovation, and student outcomes. He works closely with faculty and staff to strengthen teaching and support continuous improvement across programs, ensuring they remain responsive to student needs and regional labor market demands.

Sam’s responsibilities include a wide range of strategic and operational functions. He oversees budget planning, curriculum development, program review, and faculty support. He also leads dual enrollment initiatives and helps build partnerships with K–12 districts, four-year institutions, and industry partners. These efforts are intended to expand access and strengthen transfer and workforce pathways for students. Through collaboration and data-informed decision-making, he has contributed to program sustainability, enrollment stability, and stronger student success across multiple disciplines.

Before joining Compton College, Former Vice President Sam Agdasi held leadership positions at large community colleges in California and in the Midwest, including within a multi-campus system. In those roles, he managed multi-million-dollar budgets, supported institutional and programmatic accreditations, and helped expand instructional delivery through both traditional and online modalities. His experience includes leading complex academic divisions and aligning educational offerings with transfer requirements and workforce priorities. He has also contributed to strategic planning efforts that connect academic programs with regional economic development goals.

Earlier in his career, Sam served as a faculty member and program chair, helping develop new curricula and establish academic programs. One notable accomplishment was leading the development of a nanotechnology program supported by National Science Foundation (NSF) funding. This effort integrated concepts from science, engineering, health-related fields, and applied technologies. He has also contributed to grant-funded initiatives supported by the National Science Foundation and workforce development programs such as Strong Workforce and Perkins, helping expand student 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 completing 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. With that perspective, he continues to support pathways that help students build lasting academic and professional futures.