Dr. Amy Fara Edwards earned her Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership with an emphasis on community college policy (2016), a Masters (2001) and Bachelors (1998) in Communication Studies all from California State University, Northridge. She served as a tenured Communication Studies professor at Oxnard College since 2004, as well as the Academic Senate President, Academic Senate Vice-President, and Academic Senate Secretary. Serving as spokesperson for all Academic Senate matters with Board of Trustees, district-wide committees, media, and statewide organizations gives her a unique perspective on the fundamentals of VCCCD.

Dr. Edwards has served as the Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair for eight years, Director of OC LIVE since 2017, and sat on over 25 district and campus committees, including multiple tenure and evaluation committees. She published an article in the New Directions for Community College journal (2017) on women in academic leadership, and has held multiple leaderships positions in professional organizations like the Western States Communication Association.

Her philosophy on education and leadership is college- and student-centered, and she hopes that she can collaborate with the Condors to enhance inclusion at the college. As the Dean of the Library and Liberal Studies, she hopes to become a more pivotal and equitable servant leader in higher education.

In her free time, she loves spending quality time with her husband, Guy, her two kitties, Winston and Rusty, and she loves to sing, dance, knit, read, and listen to true crime podcasts.  

Seven years down ...

In addition to teaching full time, I am the Academic Senator (2019-current) for my departments as well as a member of the Student Equity and Success Committee (2022-current). After my first year on the Professional Development Committee (2023-current), I became the Senate-appointed Faculty Tri-Chair for it, in September 2024. I'm also usually running between meetings or events that support our fabulously diverse and fascinating students. I'm especially passionate about our LGBTQIA+ and Rising Scholars populations. 

So far at OC, I've taught

• Health 101 (Health and Society)
• Health 102 (Fitness/Nutrition/Mental Wellness)
• Health 104 (Personal Health & Wellness)
• Health 105 (CPR, AED, First Aid, & Personal Safety)
• Kinesiology 142A/B (Yoga I/II)
• Kinesiology 143 (Pilates Mat)
• Kinesiology 144 (Core Stability & Stretch)
• Kinesiology 145A/B (Body Conditioning Boot Camp I/II)
• Kinesiology 146 A/B (Weight Training and Conditioning I/II)
• Kinesiology 147 A/B (Women’s Conditioning I/II)

I was hired at Oxnard College in August 2017 as the Head Softball Coach and Health and Kinesiology Professor. That was the start to my community college teaching and coaching career, though I stepped down from coaching the Condors in May 2023.

Beforehand, I taught high school for eight years and coached high school, travel, and NCAA D2 softball for nine years total. Previous to that, I was a sports reporter and Sunday columnist for the Napa Valley Register and freelance reporter for various Bay Area publications.

I married the love of my life Jett, on September 29, 2024 in St. Helena, amongst the vineyards and our favorite people. We have a home in Oxnard where we're raising our three furbabies: Kit, (All the Way) Mae, and Hoot.

When I'm not on campus, I'm traveling as much as possible (13 countries and counting!), trying new foods, enjoying my millionth sunset, catching a favorite band or comedian perform live, and being the best Auntie there is. 

Follow me on Instagram at @ProfessorLawlz. (I don't follow my students back so if you want me to see something please TAG me!)