Mojdeh Mehdizadeh - Coming Full Circle

Chancellor Mojdeh Mehdizadeh found opportunities at 4CD – and now creates them for countless others.

When Mojdeh Mehdizadeh was named Chancellor, many recalled that she was a DVC alum. Fewer know that her journey at DVC really started six years earlier when her older brother was admitted to DVC.

“I still remember the day he received his acceptance letter and jumped for joy,” says Mojdeh. “I decided to follow in his footsteps and never thought twice about it.”

As a new student, Mojdeh discovered her career direction. “During my first semester, I found myself browsing the student job board,” explains Mojdeh. “I saw a job at the career development center, only a few steps away, so I walked in. The manager asked me two questions and told me to start the following day.”

As part of her role, Mojdeh created a new database that enabled instructors to sort and search lists of students - a novelty at that time. “I loved recognizing I could use technology in a way that helped people, and that led me to MIS (management information systems),” she says.

In the classroom, Mojdeh loved the opportunities to talk 1:1 with faculty members. “What’s incredibly special about community colleges is that your instructors know you,” she explains. “DVC’s people truly set me up for success.”

One person, in particular, inspired Mojdeh to dream bigger. “At that time, DVC’s president was Dr. Phyllis Peterson,” says Mojdeh. “I spent my early childhood in Iran, where it was rare to see women in higher-level roles. I remember Dr. Peterson’s friendly, welcoming leadership style. When you see other women who have risen to senior roles, you can envision a different future for yourself.”

Mojdeh became an hourly DVC employee after she transferred, and she’s spent her entire career with the District. When she first joined the Chancellor’s cabinet in 2001, she was one of just three women. “Today, I’m proud of the number of women and people of color in executive leadership,” she says, noting that today, the presidents of all three colleges are women.

When asked what makes 4CD special, Mojdeh points to the qualities that marked her DVC days: the focus on students and the sense of belonging. “No matter what their role, all of our employees are invested in the success of our students,” says Mojdeh. “I’m proud of the inclusive culture we’ve created together.”

Mojdeh loves positive change, and she sees plenty ahead. “Higher education is moving much more rapidly than in the past,” she comments. “We have so many opportunities to re-envision education and keep it vibrant for people of all ages and backgrounds.” That includes new technologies like virtual reality, as well as the evolution of 4CD’s campuses and facilities.

In many ways, 4CD is creating that change through our students. “I’m humbled by how many local residents have graduated from our colleges and gone on to do amazing things in our communities,” she says. “I continue to be energized by our students and employees, and I look forward to 75 more years of providing incredible educational opportunities for the people of Contra Costa County.”

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• Welcome to 4CD’s 75th anniversary!
• Mojdeh Mehdizadeh - Coming Full Circle
• Bringing the World to 4CD
• Celebrating the Women of 4CD
• John Marquez’s 55+ Years of Building a Stronger 4CD
• Celebrations of Success
• Working Together for a More Sustainable Future
• 75th Anniversary Boards
• Sharing Memories - Contra Costa Community College District 1948–2008, a collection of stories edited by Bill Harlan