Alen R. Andriassian has been selected as the next vice president of student services at Glendale Community College, after a nationwide search and district board of trustees approval on May 21. He will begin at GCC in July.
Andriassian has been Los Angeles City College’s vice president of student services for the last six years, where he has been an important member of its executive team focused on building community and promoting innovation. Prior to that, he was dean of outreach and student life and associate dean of student life at LACC, and manager of outreach/assessment and coordinator of student life at GCC.
Andriassian is an alumnus of GCC, where he received his associate in arts degree and was the Associated Students president and student trustee. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in business management from Loyola Marymount University and a master’s of public administration from Cal State Northridge, and he will defend his doctoral dissertation titled “Socio-Politically Conscious Leadership” at USC in June.
Andriassian resides in Glendale with his wife and two children. Before attending GCC, he attended Wilson Middle School and Glendale High School in the Glendale Unified School District.
“Glendale Community College laid the foundation for my educational journey,” Andriassian said. “I began at GCC as a completely unengaged student, but the faculty, staff and administrators transformed my life. As a former GCC classified employee and manager, I learned the fundamentals of becoming an educator. It is with great pride that I will be coming home to Glendale, where I was born and raised, as the first Armenian vice president at GCC. I am truly blessed to be returning to where it all began and where my heart has always been.”
Ryan Cornner, GCC’s superintendent/president, said, “Alen chose a career in higher education because of the mentorship and guidance he received throughout his educational journey, especially from his predecessor Dr. Paul Schlossman. Alen has expertise in leadership, team building, problem solving, outreach/onboarding and providing a positive experience for students. We look forward to the many contributions he is sure to provide to GCC.”
Added GCC Board of Trustees President Sevan Benlian: “Alen coming back to GCC as the first Armenian vice president at the college is significant for representation. He is a shining example to our Armenian students that careers in education are purposeful and have opportunities for advancement and he has lived his life as part of the thriving Armenian community in Glendale.”
First published in the June 8 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
