Teresa Mercado-Cota is Assistant Dean in the Office of the President at Santa Ana College (SAC). She is responsible for public affairs, governmental relations, professional development and special programs. She collaborates with organizations and stakeholders that enhance favorable partnerships and relations among the college and business, civic, educational, legislative, community-based organizations and residents. Mercado-Cota has served on several boards, including Orange County Sheriff’s Advisory Committee, Chapman University Advisory Council, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Orange County, PUENTE, Rueben Martinez LEAP Board, and Santa Ana Community Leadership Institute. She currently serves on the boards for the National Hispanic Business Women Association, Santa Ana Public Schools Foundation, Relampago del Cielo, Inc, Teammates for Life, and KinderCaminata, Inc. Mercado-Cota earned an M.S. in Education/Counseling from CSU, Long Beach, dual B.A degrees in Communications and Sociology from CSU, Sacramento, and an A.A. in Liberal Arts from Saddleback College. She is married to her best friend, Dr. Victor Cota; together they have three sons, two daughters-in-law, and four wonderful grandchildren.