Luis Tovar, MPA, for the past 21 years, has served as Adjunct Faculty, in the Addiction Disorders Studies Program. Drawing on more than 40 years of experience in the field of substance use disorders and mental health services with Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, he believes the strength of the ADS Program is in the successful preparation of students to step into their careers well equipped to effectively meet the challenges of working with individuals, families, and communities to address the concerns of substance use disorders. The preparation of our substance use disorder workforce is critical in today’s dynamic and demanding world. His passion is to prepare the next generation of practitioners to live out the words of Woodrow Wilson, 

"You are not here merely to make a living. You are here to enable the world

to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement.

You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand."

Lois is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS), Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), EMDR Trained Therapist, Board Certified Professional Counselor (BCPC), and Registered Dietitian (RD). She has worked in the substance use and eating disorder field for 40 years at all levels of care. Lois has been teaching part-time at Oxnard College since the early 1990s then full-time since 2016. She is now the Addictive Disorders Studies (ADS) Program Director and Department Chair for Law & Community Department. Lois is also active with our campus shared governance by serving on the Academic Senate.