Board of Directors

Warren Bowen

Warren Bowen

Warren Bowen is a long time resident of Fullerton and graduate of Fullerton College. He also holds a bachelor's degree from Occidental College and a master's degree from California State University, Fullerton. As a retired businessman and educator, Bowen spent much of his career serving Fullerton Union High School District as well as Fullerton College.

Today, Bowen is active in his community, volunteering his time with a number of local nonprofit organizations, including the Friends of Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Services and Fullerton Heritage Society. He is also a local historian and writer.

Frances E. Byrne

Frances E. Byrne

Frances Byrne joined the Foundation in 2006. She holds a bachelors degree in business administration and a minor in mathematics from Montclair New Jersey State Teachers College as well as a degree in special education from U.C. Irvine. Additionally, Byrne holds a masters degree in Business Administration from Seton Hall University.

As a life long teacher, Byrne has taught math at the elementary, secondary and college levels. She has extensive experience in scholarship development, as she established the scholarship committee at the Nixon library, helped to invigorate the existing scholarship committee at the Woman’s Club and currently serves on the Retired Teachers Association Scholarship Committee.

Curtis Chan

Curtis Chan

Curtis Chan is President and CEO of two Fullerton based high technology marketing and public relations companies, CHAN & ASSOCIATES and COGNITIVE IMPACT, whose clients range from the Global Fortune 500 to venture capital funded startups. Mr. Chan's expansive background spans close to three decades in ever increasing executive roles in operations, business development, engineering and sales/marketing in the entertainment, information technology and high technology industries. He also has over two decades of experience in brand development, creative advertising and public relations.

A graduate of California Polytechnic State University , San Luis Obispo , Mr. Chan is an Entrepreneur in Residence and Advisor for the Small Business Institute at California State University Fullerton and is a regularly featured speaker at many MBA and Doctorate level lectures around the country. He has presented and published over 30 papers worldwide along with co-authoring several books and is a regularly featured Contributing Editor for many US and international trade publications.

Amber Collins

Amber Collins

Amber Collins is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton with a degree in Business Administration and an emphasis in Marketing. Prior to attending CSUF, Collins attended several community colleges where she benefited from mentors and counselors who encouraged her to attain her educational goals. As a result, she is passionate about education and has an interest in serving at-risk youth.

Collins is currently acting as the Marketing Coordinator for Boost Mobile in Irvine and is enthusiastic about making a difference in the lives of others.

Carol Dodson

Carol Dodson

Carol Dodson has been a member of the Fullerton College board since 2004. She is a graduate of Fullerton College and the University of Southern California where she earned a degree in Education and Liberal Arts. Prior to retirement, Dodson taught in several Orange County schools and has demonstrated her great interest in education by developing a scholarship for returning women at Fullerton College.

Currently, Dodson is active in business and real estate. As a life long learner, she frequently enrolls in business development courses and has used her knowledge to invest in real estate in California, Colorado, Alabama, and Arizona. Dodson also dedicates much of her time to charity, in which she serves on multiple Boards in Orange County, and has spent the last 16 years as a docent to the Nixon library.

Anthony J. Florentine

Anthony J. Florentine

Anthony Florentine is a retired Fullerton College educator and current entrepreneur. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Business Management and a master’s degree in Agriculture Education from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California. Florentine served as a professor in Fullerton College’s Technical Education and Science Division from 1965-2003. He has also owned a number of shopping centers and restaurants throughout the region and continues to remain active in the real estate market. Florentine’s commitment to his community has been demonstrated through his involvement with Fullerton South Rotary Club, the Orange County Integrated Waste Management Department and the Fullerton Arboretum. He is a true “go-getter” and posses a sincere desire to assist Fullerton College, a place where he devoted 38 years of his professional life.

Dr. Kathleen O’Connell Hodge

Dr. Kathleen O’Connell Hodge

Kathleen O’Connell Hodge, ED.D, assumed the Presidency of Fullerton College in January of 2004 and serves as an ex-officio Board Member to the Fullerton College Foundation.

An educator for 30 years, Hodge began her career in the North Orange County Community College District (NOCCD) as a student activities advisor at Cypress College. Hodge left the district in 1975 to become a counselor for 12 years at Saddleback College, where she went on to serve as Dean of Continuing Education from 1987-1995 before moving to the District Office as Vice Chancellor of Educational Services. During her five-year tenure as Vice Chancellor, she returned to teaching as a professor in psychology.

In addition to her academic experience, Hodge is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a member of the Board of the California Community College Commission on Athletics. Hodge holds a doctorate degree in higher education from the University of Southern California, a master’s degree in counseling from California State University, Fullerton, a bachelor’s degree in speech from CSUF, and an associate degree in liberal arts from Citrus College.

Molly McClanahan

Molly McClanahan

Molly McClanahan has been very active on the Foundation Board since her appointment in 1988. She holds a bachelors degree from University of Redlands and later attended Fullerton College, earning an associates degree in business.

Beyond her involvement with the Foundation, McClanahan is extremely involved with public service activities throughout the city of Fullerton. From 1982-1994, McClanahan served two terms as the Mayor to the city of Fullerton and currently serves on the Board of Trustees to the North Orange County Community College District.

James McKamy

James McKamy

As the current President of the Fullerton College Alumni Association, James McKamy has served as an ex-officio Board member to the Fullerton College Foundation since 2005. After graduating from Fullerton College with an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration, McKamy transferred to the University of California, Riverside where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. After graduation, McKamy returned to Fullerton College as an employee and has since worked in various departments throughout the years. Currently, McKamy acts as a Sergeant in the Fullerton College Safety Department. He is grateful for the outstanding education that Fullerton College gave him as well as the many wonderful people who have made such a positive impact on so many members of the community.

Robert Miranda

Robert Miranda

Robert Miranda directs the Financial Aid/Veterans Services programs for Fullerton College. Prior service includes: Financial Aid Officer and EOPS Assistant Director for Cerritos College. In addition, Miranda has served as Past President to the District Management Group for NOCCCD and to the California Community College Student Financial Aid Administrators Association. He has also taught classes in Political Science and serves as a mentor for the Puente Program at Fullerton College. Miranda has a Master's degree in Public Administration, a BA degree in Sociology, and an AA degree in Sociology. He has served at Fullerton Community College for 25 years and has been a Board Member to the Fullerton College Foundation since 2004.

Nancie Mitchell

Nancie Mitchell

Nancie Mitchell is currently a resident of Huntington Beach and a native Californian. She was a long time resident of Fullerton, residing there from 1959-1978. After spending five years as a Marketing Representative for Jostin’s school ring company, she began working for the Fullerton College Foundation in 1976. She was initially an Executive Assistant for Dr. H. Lynn Sheller, the founder of the Foundation. She then became the Executive Director in 1984 and served in that capacity until 1994. Mitchell has served as a member of the Board of Directors since 1984.

Mary Shaw

Mary Shaw

Mary Shaw has actively served on the Foundation Board since 1992. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in zoology with a minor in chemistry and botany from University of Colorado and a Master of Arts degree in counseling psychology from the University of Denver.

Since Shaw’s retirement from Fullerton College as a counselor to the Life Science Department, she has enjoyed traveling around the globe and volunteering in her community. She has visited over 65 countries throughout the world, and when she’s not traveling, Shaw serves on several Boards throughout Orange County and works as a Master Addiction Counselor.

Mark Von Esch

Mark Von Esch

Mark Von Esch is managing partner of the Von Esch & Von Esch law firm in Fullerton. The firm was established in 1960 and handles various civil and business law matters. Von Esch is a graduate of Fullerton College and is the former President of the College Alumni Association. He has been involved in a myriad of community and activities including the California Trai Lawyers Association, Fullerton Chamber of Commerce, Little Eagle Free and Rotary International.

Laura Wiggins

Laura Wiggins

Laura Wiggins is a Fullerton native. After attending Fullerton College, she went on to earn an undergraduate degree from Whittier College and a Master’s degree from University of Southern California.

He career has always been focused on education. She has served as a teacher, speech therapist, counselor, school psychologist and Director of Personnel and Student Services. She currently acts as a part-time faculty member at the University of La Verne, where she supervises school counselor trainees and instructs their graduate seminar. Wiggins is also a Marriage and Family Counselor and a Licensed Educational Psychologist.

She considers it a true privilege to serve on the Foundation’s Board. It is her way of giving back to the college a small part of what was given to her: an excellent education, the opportunity to participate in a variety of college-related activities, and friends who remain a vital part of her life.

Laura Wiggins

Warren Mitchell

Warren Mitchell is a retired executive from Sempra Energy. At the time of retirement, Mitchell held the positions of Group President, regulated Business Units for Sempra Energy, Chairman and President of SoCal Gas and Chairman of SDG&E, in addition to chairing the Board of Directors for both companies.

In addition to serving as a Director to the Fullerton College Foundation, Mitchell currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Clean Energy Fuels Corporation, North America 's leader in providing natural gas to fleet operators. He is also a Director for the Energy Coalition, a non-profit organization dedicated to energy efficiency.

Mitchell holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Pepperdine University and has completed the Stanford Executive Program. Overall, Mitchell is a visionary who believes in the power of education and is committed to Fullerton College and its students.