Student Services Dean Bios

William Marmolejo

Dean of Student Services

William Marmolejo, prefers to be called Will, joined the Student Services division at Pierce College in February 2016. Prior to being Dean of Student Services, Will worked at Los Angeles City College and Loyola Marymount University. With over for 20 years of experience in higher education, Will’s primary focus is on creating a team environment for his staff while focusing on the student experience. Within Student Services, Will is primarily responsible for the administrative supervision of Admissions and Records, Financial Aid, International Student Services, Student Information Desk and High School Outreach. His office is located on the first floor of the Student Services building.

Will is a proud LMU Lion, where he earned both his Bachelors and Masters degrees. Now that all three of his kids are away at college, he plans to return to school and begin work on his doctorate in education in the Fall of 2018.

Dr. Juan Carlos Astorga

Dean of Student Engagement

Dr. Juan Carlos Astorga has over 20 years of experience in higher education having worked at the public, private, and community college level. Currently, as the Dean of Student Engagement at Los Angeles Pierce College, Dr. Astorga is responsible for overseeing the Center for Academic Success, Library, Office of Student Engagement (Student Life and ASO), Office of New Student Programs (First year Experience, Summer Bridge, etc.), Discipline, and the Child Development Center. He has a wealth of knowledge and leadership around student development, counseling, advocacy, federal grants, multiculturalism, student equity, student leadership and social justice.

Previously, he served as Dean of Specially Funded Programs for Los Angeles Southwest College, Director of TRIO Programs at Mt San Antonio College, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at UC San Diego Sixth College. He earned his B.A. from UC San Diego and his Master’s degree at San Diego State University. He graduated from the Educational Doctorate Program in Higher Education with a specialization in Community College Leadership from CSU Fullerton. His research focus is on Leadership, Engagement, and Academic Success of Undocumented Students in the community college system.

Dr. Genice Sarcedo-Magruder

Dean of Student Services and Equity

Dr. Genice Sarcedo-Magruder brings over 10 years of experience in student services with her to Pierce. She earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Community College/Higher Education at Cal State Long Beach, where she previously served as a Title IX investigator in the Office of Equity & Diversity. Her dissertation research focused on the experiences of students of color that led them to be successful in higher education. Her Master of Education in post-secondary administration and student affairs is from the University of Southern California and she earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from University of California, Riverside.

Previous to her position at CSULB, she worked at UC Irvine in Student Life and Leadership as Assistant Director managing student support and programming at the LGBT Resource Center. She also has experience in housing/residence life, student conduct, assessment, multicultural/women's affairs, and teaching student development. A first-generation college graduate from a low income background herself, her personal and professional experiences influence her advocacy and support for college students.

Dr. Kalynda Webber McLean

Dean of Student Success

Dr. Kalynda Webber McLean currently serves as Dean of Student Success at Pierce College. She originally hails from New York but relocated to California to pursue her undergraduate studies. Dr. McLean completed her B.A. in Psychology and a M.A. in Counseling at San Diego State University. In 2009, Dr. McLean completed her doctoral studies at Pepperdine University earning an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership. Dr. McLean brings over 17 years of experience in the California community colleges, with most of that time providing service in the Los Angeles Community College district. Before becoming an administrator, she served as a Student Success and Support Program Coordinator, as well as EOP&S Counselor at L.A. City College, Associate Dean/EOPS Director at Pierce College, as well as an EOPS/CARE Counselor at Grossmont College, a Counselor in General Counseling and the Career/Transfer Center at San Diego Miramar College, and an instructor of Personal Development and Psychology at various community colleges. She thoroughly enjoys working with students and being of service to the Pierce College community.