I am very pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Anu Khanna to serve as interim vice chancellor, organizational effectiveness and engagement. Anu’s extensive experience in organizational development and proven leadership in strategic planning and implementation of higher education initiatives, along with her collaborative approach to problem-solving, make her well-suited to this new role. She will begin work in the position on July 15.

 

“I am honored to be given the opportunity to implement Chancellor Lambert’s vision and priorities for Foothill-De Anza,” Anu said. “It is a privilege to take on this new role that builds upon our collective reimagining of the district, and I look forward to working with everyone at Foothill-De Anza to enhance operational efficiency, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and advance engagement across all levels of the district.”

 

As vice chancellor, Anu will have responsibility for developing long-range strategic plans, ensuring compliance with regulatory policies, and enhancing employee engagement and development programs while also leading the district’s public affairs and governmental relations, international student programs, and district enrollment management coordination efforts.

 

Since May 2022, Anu has served as senior advisor to the chancellor for reimagining Foothill-De Anza, a position charged with establishing a districtwide enrollment management committee, evaluating options for a new budget allocation model, and creating an action plan for a reimagined district. After an extensive districtwide listening tour designed to garner input into improving the student and employee experience and creating a more equity-minded and student-centered district, Anu identified key priority areas and launched projects aimed at improving budget and resource allocation, enrollment management, business processes/systems alignment, and shared governance and labor relations.

 

Anu joined Foothill-De Anza in 2000 as a full-time faculty member in De Anza College’s International Studies and Communication Studies departments. In addition to teaching, she served in a variety of academic leadership roles during her time at the college, including department chair, curriculum co-chair, division scheduler, project director and curriculum coordinator for the college’s IMPACT-AAPI grant, co-coordinator of the Learning in Communities program, and Guided Pathways Villages co-lead.   

 

She has also served in statewide roles as a Partnership Resource Team member for the California Community Colleges Institutional Effectiveness Partnership Initiative and Code Alignment Project Consultant for the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. Prior to working at De Anza, Anu worked in the Maricopa Community College District in Mesa, Arizona, developing leadership training for academic leaders. 

 

Anu holds a doctorate in communication from Arizona State University with an emphasis in organizational and intercultural communication, a master’s degree in communication from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and a bachelor’s degree in speech communication from the University of Illinois.

 

Recruitment for a permanent vice chancellor of organizational effectiveness and engagement is expected to begin in spring 2025.

 

Please join me in congratulating Anu and thanking her for taking on this key position.

 

I also want to express my appreciation to committee chair Dennis Cima and search committee members William Baldwin, Patty Guitron, Sirisha Pingali, and Voltaire Villanueva for their work in this important selection process.

 

Sincerely,

 

Lee D. Lambert, J.D.

Chancellor