Building strong academic pathways and supporting student progress have remained central to Sam Agdasi’s work throughout his career in higher education. He has more than 25 years of experience in the field, including over 15 years in community colleges, where he has served as a faculty member, program chair, dean, and senior academic administrator, including service at the vice president level. Across these positions, he has focused on student success, transfer pathways, STEM education, career technical education (CTE), and applied disciplines. His work has consistently emphasized aligning academic programs with transfer requirements 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 range of academic and workforce programs, including business, industrial trades, and social sciences. His approach emphasizes program quality, academic innovation, and student outcomes. He works closely with faculty and staff to strengthen instructional delivery and support ongoing improvement across programs so they remain responsive to both student needs and regional labor market demands.
His current responsibilities include oversight of major strategic and operational areas, including budget planning, curriculum development, program review, and faculty support. He also leads dual enrollment initiatives and helps develop partnerships with K–12 districts, four-year institutions, and industry partners. These efforts help expand access and strengthen both transfer and workforce pathways. Through collaborative leadership and data-informed decision-making, he has contributed to program sustainability, enrollment stability, and student success across multiple disciplines.
Before taking on his current role, 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 positions, 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 initiatives 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 work integrated concepts across science, engineering, health-related fields, and applied technologies. He also contributed to grant-funded initiatives, including projects supported by the National Science Foundation and workforce development programs such as Strong Workforce and Perkins, helping expand opportunities for students 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 educational access. He currently resides in Compton, California, and continues to focus on strengthening programs, expanding opportunities, and helping students pursue meaningful academic and professional futures.
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https://scholargps.com/scholars/51648734440095/sam-agdasi
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https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award/?AWD_ID=1205105