As Santiago Canyon College’s new vice president of Continuing Education, Larisa Sergeyeva understands the power of higher education and is drawing on her experience as a refugee to expand access and opportunity for all learners.
When Sergeyeva came to the United States in 1993 from Kyrgyzstan, she and her husband arrived in Los Angeles with no jobs and only $5 to their name. She didn’t speak any English, and she had one bag, a child in her arms and another on the way.
The road to rebuilding their lives wasn’t easy. Sergeyeva began learning English by visiting a neighborhood synagogue. After she and her family moved to Orange County, she took her first formal step into higher education by enrolling in ESL classes at Fullerton College.
From there, Sergeyeva earned her associate degree in child development from Fullerton College, followed by her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Hope International University and, later, her doctorate in educational leadership.
“I’m a proud product of California’s community college system,” Sergeyeva said. “I know firsthand how life-changing access to education can be because I’ve lived it.”
Before joining SCC in January, Sergeyeva’s journey included several stops where she honed her leadership skills and deepened her passion for supporting nontraditional students like herself.
Her first step in her career path was as a part-time instructor and learning center coordinator at Irvine Valley College. From there, Sergeyeva moved to National University, where she served as the director of the Academic Success Center.
At Golden West College, Sergeyeva held the role of director of Adult Education, where she led the development of noncredit and workforce programs, established strong partnerships and launched high-impact career pathways.
Her most recent position was with Santa Ana College, where Sergeyeva served for five years as the dean of Human Services and Technology. In that role, she led the college’s largest division, overseeing 12 career education departments, two bachelor’s degree programs and extensive apprenticeship initiatives, serving nearly 18,000 students annually.
During Sergeyeva’s tenure at SAC, the division grew significantly in enrollment and strengthened its reach and influence within the student body and the broader community.
“Innovation and community partnerships have always been central to my work, whether building noncredit-to-credit pathways, expanding workforce preparation and career education or designing workforce programs tailored to employer needs,” Sergeyeva said. “My focus has always been to create meaningful, real-world pathways that help students succeed.”
In her new role at SCC, Sergeyeva leads a division serving more than 13,000 students each year with tuition-free noncredit programs for adult learners, job seekers, English language learners and anyone looking for a new start. The Division of Continuing Education also offers wraparound support, including counseling, mental health services, transportation assistance and child care referrals.
“Santiago Canyon College Continuing Education is grounded in access, equity and transformation,” Sergeyeva said. “This is about second chances. Whether someone is finishing high school, preparing for citizenship, learning new job skills or taking their first-ever class, our doors are open.”
One of Sergeyeva’s top priorities is to expand SCC’s reach through partnerships. She believes that many local organizations and businesses are unaware of the customized training programs can be developed and delivered on-site quickly and at no cost.
“We can design customized classes or offer our existing programs specifically for local businesses and organizations, whether it’s to train their employees or serve their clients,” Sergeyeva said. “The best part is, we come to them. We can send our instructors to their location or offer the training online.”
Community engagement has always been central to Sergeyeva’s personal and professional life. She has volunteered with organizations such as the Orange County Rescue Mission, Habitat for Humanity and her local church. Professionally, she has built partnerships with groups like Hope Builders, OCTA and Discovery Cube to bring education directly into the community, offering ESL classes, workforce training and family-centered programs in accessible spaces.
“At SCC Continuing Education, we don’t wait for students to come to us, we go to them,” Sergeyeva said. “Our classes are offered at libraries, churches, senior centers and job sites. We’re here to serve, and we’re ready to partner in ways that truly make a difference.”
Although starting over while living through poverty and raising a young family was challenging, it brought Sergeyeva to Orange County, a place that offered safety, opportunity and the chance to rebuild her life. Her experience as a refugee has shaped her approach to leadership, and she’s living proof of how transformational education can be.
“I know what it’s like to be overwhelmed, to feel invisible and to start from nothing,” Sergeyeva said. “I also know how powerful it is when someone offers you a chance. That’s why I believe so deeply in the mission of Continuing Education. This isn’t just about academics; it’s about hope. … When I look at our students, I see my own story, and that’s what drives me.”