Abby Patton

Dr. Abigail García Patton serves as Vice President of Academic Affairs at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, where she leads efforts to advance student success, strengthen academic pathways, and design equity-centered systems that support diverse learners. She brings extensive experience in guided pathways implementation, dual enrollment expansion, and the development of integrated academic and student support strategies that improve retention, persistence, and completion.

Prior to her current role, Dr. Patton served as Dean of Academic Pathways and Student Success at Chabot College. There, she led institutional initiatives to improve student outcomes, including expanding access for disproportionately impacted students, enhancing academic support services, and building adult education transition pathways. Her leadership has consistently focused on reducing equity gaps through cross-functional collaboration and data-informed decision-making.

Earlier in her career, Dr. Patton served as an HSI Director, where she institutionalized culturally responsive programs supporting Latinx, low-income, and undocumented students, including bridge programs and resource centers. She also led TRIO programs at the University of California, Berkeley, where she developed initiatives such as the African American Male Pipeline Project and Women in STEM Education Project, supporting students historically underrepresented in higher education.

Dr. Patton holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UC Berkeley, a Master’s in Secondary Education from Loyola Marymount University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from UC Davis. Her work is grounded in equity-minded leadership and the design of systems that align academic pathways with holistic student supports.

Beyond her institutional role, Dr. Patton serves on the board of COLEGAS and The Coalition for Equitable Postsecondary Education and leads the Great Deans Program with ACCCA, supporting the development of equity-focused leaders across California community colleges.