Dr. Lori Silverman
Vice President of Instruction Candidate
Dr. Lori Silverman is a dedicated community college leader with more than 25 years of experience advancing student success, instructional excellence, workforce pathways, and equitable outcomes in higher education. She is currently the Dean of the STEM Division at Ohlone College, where she has provided strategic leadership for 13 academic departments with more than 150 faculty and staff, including overseeing the annual budget and supporting programs that serve a large portion of the college’s student population. Throughout her career, as a tenured mathematics professor, instructional leader, and administrator, Dr. Silverman has focused on strengthening academic pathways, expanding access to transfer-level coursework, building workforce pathways, and fostering inclusive learning environments where all students can thrive.
A central focus of Dr. Silverman’s leadership has been advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across institutional practices. She has led equity-focused initiatives, launched faculty professional development on equity-minded and trauma-informed designs, and institutionalized programs that improve access and success for historically underrepresented students. She established Ohlone College’s first MESA program to support first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students and created a regional ecosystem to strengthen mentorship, representation, and belonging in higher education and the workforce.
Dr. Silverman has also led transformative initiatives that connect education with workforce opportunities, including the Manufacturing Development Program developed in partnership with Tesla, which provides paid training and employment pathways while maintaining strong transfer and degree options. She has secured more than $10 million in external funding from organizations including the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Labor to expand pathways, support faculty innovation, and promote student success initiatives.
Dr. Silverman holds a Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Community College Leadership, a Master of Science in Mathematics, and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science.
Dr. Silverman is widely respected for her collaborative leadership style and her deep commitment to equity, access, success, and inclusive excellence in higher education.
