Oralia Cordova
La Mirada,CA
Summary
Educational leader with over ten years of experience advancing equity, access, and student success for multilingual, first-generation, and historically underserved students. Proven record of improving academic achievement, school climate, discipline outcomes, and attendance through inclusive leadership, restorative practices, and data-driven systems improvement. Currently a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) student at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), researching the role of artificial intelligence in educational leadership, organizational systems, and equitable decision-making. Recognized for leading systemic change, developing leadership capacity, and contributing at the regional and county level through professional organizations.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Principal
Lydia Romero-Cruz Academy (TK–8), Santa Ana Unified School District
01.2023 - Current
- Lead a TK–8 school serving a predominantly multilingual and historically underserved student population.
- Strengthened Tier I literacy and mathematics instruction through aligned professional learning and collaborative data analysis, resulting in increased A/B grades and reduced failing grades.
- Implemented PBIS, Capturing Kids’ Hearts, and restorative practices, producing major discipline reductions:
- Reduced chronic absenteeism from 30.82% to 17.89% and increased students with zero absences from 3.78% to 19.82%.
- Awarded a $50,000 Future Ready Library Grant to transform the campus library into a future-ready learning space supporting literacy development, technology integration, and equitable access to resources.
- Oversaw daily operations, ensuring compliance with district policies and optimizing resource allocation for programs.
- Facilitated regular meetings with faculty to discuss progress, address challenges, and promote a positive school culture.
- Fostered a positive learning environment by promoting open communication among staff, students, and parents.
- Managed budgets and resources efficiently to ensure optimal allocation of funds for school programs and initiatives.
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), Region 17
01.2024 - Current
- Support regional diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives supporting administrators across Orange County.
- Co-facilitated workshops focused on inclusive leadership, equity-centered systems, and organizational culture.
Board Member, Member-at-Large
California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA), Orange County
01.2026 - Current
- Support advocacy, leadership development, mentoring, and regional leadership pipeline development.
- Collaborate with other board members to develop and execute programs and initiatives to advance organizational mission.
Assistant Principal
Santa Ana High School (Grades 9–12), Santa Ana Unified School District
01.2019 - 01.2023
- Oversaw Counseling, Special Education, and CTE departments for a comprehensive high school of 3,000+ students.
- Designed and implemented the district’s first virtual summer school program serving over 1,000 students.
- Developed and led the school’s first virtual Career Day for 3,300 students in collaboration with community partners.
- Led master scheduling, EL/SPED placement, SST/504/IEP coordination, and MTSS implementation.
- Led crisis management efforts to ensure student safety and maintain a positive learning environment.
- Partnered with principal to administer school program in alignment with vision and goals, providing positive, high-expectation academic environment.
Assistant Principal
Dominguez High School, Compton Unified School District
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Supervised Tier III academic interventions and credit recovery systems.
- Led PLC implementation to strengthen data-informed instructional practices.
- Studied assessment information covering students, teachers and school operations to formulate improvement plans.
- Kept school in full compliance with established policies, legal requirements and student safety standards.
- Observed teachers, documented activities and implemented improvement plans to optimize classrooms.
Education
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Educational Leadership
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Los Angeles, CaliforniaMaster of Arts - School Counseling
Loyola Marymount University
Bachelor of Arts - Behavioral Science
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Skills
- Educational Equity & Access; Inclusive Leadership; MTSS, PBIS, and Restorative Practices; Attendance & Engagement Systems; School Climate & SEL; Data-Driven Decision Making; Staff Development & Coaching; Master Scheduling; Family & Community Partnerships; Bilingual Leadership; AI-Informed Leadership
Affiliations
- Association of California School Administrators (ACSA)
- California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA)
- California Academic Partnership Program – Leadership Network
Certification
- Administrative Services Credential
- Pupil Personnel Services Credential
- UCLA GSE Leadership Support Program
- ACSA Principal Academy
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Interests
- Youth mentor, providing guidance and support to empower the next generation of leaders
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning
Timeline
Board Member, Member-at-Large
California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA), Orange County
01.2026 - Current
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), Region 17
01.2024 - Current
Principal
Lydia Romero-Cruz Academy (TK–8), Santa Ana Unified School District
01.2023 - Current
Assistant Principal
Santa Ana High School (Grades 9–12), Santa Ana Unified School District
01.2019 - 01.2023
Assistant Principal
Dominguez High School, Compton Unified School District
01.2017 - 01.2019
Master of Arts - School Counseling
Loyola Marymount University
Bachelor of Arts - Behavioral Science
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Educational Leadership
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)