Strengthening Student
Success Conference 2026
Keynote & Plenary Speakers

Leenoy Barkhordar
San Diego Mesa College

Leenoy Barkhordar is a second-year political science major at San Diego Mesa Community College. At Mesa, she serves as President of the Pre-Law Club and Secretary of the Associated Student Government. Outside of school, Leenoy enjoys playing lacrosse, attending concerts, going on sunset walks, and spending time with family and friends. After Mesa, she plans to transfer to a four-year university and then attend law school to become a lawyer and use her career to make a difference in the lives of others.

Sebastian Lopez 
Cal State Fullerton

Sebastian Lopez is currently a transfer student at Cal State Fullerton, coming in from Crafton Hills Community College. They are majoring in communications with an emphasis in public relations. They are also pursuing a sports media certificate offered by the university. Sebastian is involved with on-campus extracurriculars such as Titan Public Relations as well as Behind the Scenes Club. Sebastian hopes to continue to improve their communication skills as well as learn the ropes behind the practice of public relations, while gaining insight on other things such as digital communications. They plan on eventually pursuing a career in the sports media industry post-graduation.

Lorene Milligan
Los Angeles Pierce College/UCLA

Lorene Milligan is currently a student at Los Angeles Pierce College and UCLA. She is majoring in history at UCLA, and aims to earn a master’s degree in Victorian history, literature, and culture. Lorene is also pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sociology. She plans to research gender history and sexuality in modern society. Lorene is a history tutor and tutor leader for the Humanities, Social Science, Business, Accounting, and Economics departments at Los Angeles Pierce College. She also facilitates study skills workshops on campus for college students and off-campus for high school students taking highschool–college hybrid classes. In her free time, Lorene helps raise money to rescue cats on the euthanasia list in the New York City shelter system.

Juan Orozco 
Cal State Long Beach

Juan Orozco, who also goes by Niko, is a former Porterville College student who transferred recently to California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). They are majoring in fine arts with an emphasis in sculpture, with the goal of achieving a Master of Fine Arts. Eventually, they plan to be a working artist while also attempting to teach at either a college or university in order to provide young students with resources and inspiration to keep following their dreams of being an artist. He works on campus at the dining halls and is always ready to greet and serve fellow students. Juan was also a member of the Porterville College Art Club and at one point held the title of President. Now, he is looking to work alongside Sculpture Club members at CSULB to be a part of a sculpture-focused environment where he can grow as an artist around other sculptors.

Dillan Scott 
Santa Barbara City College

Dillan Scott is currently a Santa Barbara City College student majoring in electrical engineering with a strong interest in robotics and technology. His core interests include gaming, robotics, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and economics. He is active in the Computer Science Club and Umoja, a program supporting the success of Black students. He has served as a Umoja peer mentor for two years, organizing events focused on improving students’ mental health. Dillon’s educational goal is to transfer to Sacramento State University in fall 2027 to pursue a bachelor’s and potentially a master’s degree.

 
Dr. Deborah L. Harrington 
Executive Director | California Community Colleges’ Success Network

With extensive experience teaching and administering at California’s community colleges for 40+ years prior to her retirement in 2026, Dr. Harrington has led national and state efforts to improve student access, success, and equity and to provide effective professional learning resources to faculty through her service as project coordinator and educational consultant in many nationally-recognized programs, including California’s Puente Project, Carnegie/Annenberg/Ford Foundations’ Teachers for a New Era Project, and USC and Irvine Foundation’s Diversity/Equity Scorecard Project. Additionally, Dr. Harrington has served as Principal Investigator on several national, state, and foundation grants, including those funded by the Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, and the College Futures Foundation.

Dr. Harrington is a first-generation college-goer and holds a doctorate in education from the University of California, Los Angeles; a master’s degree in English from California State University, Northridge; a BA in English from UCLA; and an AA in humanities from College of the Canyons.