Sam Newman

Sam Newman is currently a Research Analyst at West Valley College. Previously, he taught ninth-grade English near Sacramento, where he saw firsthand how challenging home environments and inequitable school resources created barriers for low-income students to reach their post-secondary and career goals. This experience sparked a desire to improve educational outcomes at a broader level, leading him to pursue graduate studies in public policy, specializing in data analytics and statistics.

Sam’s favorite part of working in institutional research is helping staff use and interpret data in ways that improve student outcomes. He is currently focused on improving Program Review processes and evaluating the impact of AB 1705.

Sam is in his first year serving on The RP Group’s Board (2025-2026) and joined in part to strengthen connections with fellow Board members and build a better understanding of the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.

Sam received his BA from Willamette University and MA from UCLA. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring California’s parks and rooting for the Sacramento Kings.

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