Orange County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean announced Wednesday the appointment of Dennis Cole as his new chief of staff.
Cole, who joined the Orange County Department of Education in 2016, has cultivated a strong reputation for his expertise in fostering community partnerships. Since August 2020, he has served as the director of educational partnerships for OCDE’s Alternative Education program, known as ACCESS.
“Dennis stood out among many highly qualified candidates during a rigorous selection process involving multiple rounds and the insight of leaders across our organization,” Dr. Bean said. “His close work with former County Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares has been instrumental in strengthening relationships across our communities, establishing a firm foundation on which we will continue to build.”
In the newly created position of chief of staff, Cole will help bridge gaps between the county superintendent’s office and OCDE’s divisions, the Orange County Board of Education and external partners.
“I am deeply honored to step into the role of chief of staff for the Orange County Department of Education,” Cole said Wednesday. “This position represents a significant opportunity to make a meaningful impact on our education system, and I am committed to leveraging our collective strengths to enhance the educational experience for every student.”
Cole’s career path
Cole’s educational journey spans more than two decades, beginning as an English teacher at Sierra Preparatory Academy in Santa Ana, where he worked from 1995 to 2006.
He later advanced into administrative roles, serving as an assistant principal at Villa Fundamental Intermediate School until 2009. Over the next seven years, he was principal at Mendez Fundamental and Willard intermediate schools.
Joining OCDE in 2016, Cole assumed the role of director of STEM and humanities, where he led a diverse team of directors, principals, program coordinators and teachers who supported a broad range of instructional areas including language arts, history, civics, music, arts and sciences, alongside advanced programs like GATE, AP and AVID.
Since August 2020, he has served as the director of Educational Partnerships for OCDE’s Alternative Education program, ACCESS. In this role, he has spearheaded initiatives aimed at uplifting students who are behind in credits and facing challenging circumstances.
“His extensive experience and strategic mindset will be pivotal as we continue to drive initiatives that boost educational outcomes and organizational efficiency,” Bean said.
“My focus,” Cole said, “will be on strengthening our community partnerships and advancing innovative practices that meet the diverse needs of our students and educators.”
Community engagement
In addition to his professional career, Cole is in his first term as a trustee for the Fountain Valley School District. He is also a past president of the Association of California School Administrators’ Region 17, serving on the board for 12 years.
His volunteer work includes roles on several executive councils and boards, including Orange County Boy Scouts of America; Junior Achievement of Orange County; the Fountain Valley Schools Foundation; the Orange County Sheriff’s Advisory Council; Vanguard University’s Teacher Education Advisory Council; and Concordia University Dean’s Advisory Council. He has also served as a member of the SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union President’s Forum Advisory Council.
Cole’s commitment to the community extends to his personal life. He and his wife, Christine, have adopted five children and fostered 11. They are also active in their church, where Cole has led worship music every week for over 25 years. The couple hosts a weekly gathering for 30 to 35 college students, providing mentorship and support.
His early years included touring with the Young Americans, a performing arts and education group, across North America, Central America, Asia and the Pacific Islands.
OCDE serves Orange County’s most vulnerable student populations and provides support and mandated fiscal oversight to 28 school districts that collectively serve more than 600 schools and about 450,000 students.