Sunita Cooke, PhD

Dr. Sunita (Sunny) Cooke, has been an educator for nearly 40 years, and has been a recognized California Community College CEO for the past 19 years. She completed her Ph.D. in Biology from Georgetown University and post-doctoral research training at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. She became a founding faculty member at Lone-Star Montgomery College where she taught biology and biotechnology, served as director of their Biotechnology Institute and Dean of Natural Sciences, Health and Wellness. She then became the Associate Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development for the Lone-Star District where she led credit, non-credit, and corporate training efforts district-wide. During her tenure, MiraCosta College has modernized and built out its four campus sites, expanded dual enrollment, started new degrees and programs such as a biomanufacturing bachelor’s degree, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. The college has worked together to gain national recognition for great gains in student success, closing equity gaps, and having the highest transfer rates in southern CA. Dr. Cooke actively serves on local and national boards, including the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (where she co-chairs the Economic Development Committee), Biocom, and local Chambers of Commerce. She is the immediate past chair of the American Association of Community Colleges Board, representing nearly 1,000 colleges nationwide. She is a board member of California Competes, and holds leadership roles with the California Community Colleges Baccalaureate Association and the California Community Colleges CEO Board.