From the President
New Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services
May 19, 2025
Dear Campus Community,
It is with great pleasure that I announce the appointment of our new Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services, Mr. Farhad Sabit, following a comprehensive and competitive search process. I extend my sincere gratitude to the search committees for their diligence and thoughtful engagement throughout this important process. I also wish to thank all members of our campus community who participated in the open forums and provided valuable feedback that informed this decision. Your involvement reflects our shared commitment to De Anza’s institutional values and participatory governance.
This appointment represents a significant addition to our leadership team as we continue
to advance our institutional mission and strategic goals. Farhad brings over 17 years
of exemplary experience in the California community college system, most recently
serving as the Executive Director of Fiscal Services at Ohlone College in Fremont,
where he also stepped in as Interim Vice President of Administrative Services for
several months in 2024. His first day at De Anza will be July 1, pending board approval
on June 9.
Leadership in Financial Management
Throughout his career, Farhad has demonstrated exceptional expertise in financial management. At Ohlone College, he led all district fiscal services functions including budget development, accounting, payroll and finance. He evaluated, developed and implemented fiscal policies and procedures that ensured institutional financial health while supporting educational goals.
His responsibilities included:
- Leading short-term and long-term fiscal and budget development processes
- Overseeing year-end closing procedures and approving financial statements
- Reviewing and certifying federal, state and local financial reports
- Coordinating external audits and implementing corrective actions
- Establishing effective internal controls to ensure fiscal solvency
Particularly noteworthy is the achievement of receiving "unmodified" audit opinions consistently for 13 consecutive years at Ohlone College, reflecting his unwavering commitment to fiscal excellence and accountability.
Administrative Services Experience
During his tenure as Interim Vice President of Administrative Services at Ohlone College, Farhad expanded his leadership role to provide comprehensive oversight of critical administrative functions, serving as the chief business officer for the district. His administrative responsibilities included:
- Providing strategic leadership for facilities planning and development
- Overseeing campus safety and security operations
- Managing information technology services to support institutional needs
- Supervising auxiliary services and general services operations
- Directing grants management and risk management programs
His experience in these areas demonstrates his ability to manage complex operational systems that support the educational mission of community colleges. In addition, Farhad’s understanding of finance at both the college and district levels is beneficial to De Anza as we continue to synergistically work with the district office and our sister college as part of our “Somos Uno” framework.
Strategic Planning and Governance
Farhad also has extensive experience participating in strategic planning and shared governance, which will be invaluable to our institution. At Ohlone College, he:
- Served on numerous college governance committees including the Resource Allocation Committee,
- Budget Committee (as co-chair) and Enrollment Management Committee
- Participated in accreditation processes, ensuring fiscal stability and transparency
- Collaborated with collective bargaining teams to analyze and project fiscal impacts
- Developed and presented financial status reports to shared governance committees
- Engaged with external agencies to represent institutional interests
This experience reflects his commitment to collaborative decision-making and inclusive governance processes that honor the voices of all campus constituents.
Bond Management and Facilities Expertise
Earlier in his career at San José-Evergreen Community College District, he gained valuable experience managing capital projects and bond funds, including:
- Overseeing accounting for a $650 million general obligation bond budget
- Generating and analyzing financial reports for capital projects
- Monitoring project budgets to ensure expenditures remained within approved parameters
- Evaluating the performance of consultants and independent contractors
- Ensuring proper implementation of facility contracts
This experience will be particularly valuable as we continue to develop and maintain facilities that support student learning and institutional effectiveness through our Measure G bond.
Educational Background and Professional Development
Our new vice president has strong academic credentials that complement his professional experience, including:
- A master's degree in Public Administration from California State University, East Bay
- A bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a Finance option from California
State University, East Bay
Ongoing professional development through participation in professional organizations and leadership programs
His educational background provides him with both the theoretical foundation and practical expertise necessary for this critical role.
Commitment to Equity and Inclusion
Throughout his career, Farhad has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. He describes himself as an "equity-minded community college administrator" who:
- Advocates for institutionalizing diversity, equity and inclusion practices
- Creates opportunities for all students and staff to achieve their educational and professional goals
- Promotes collaborative, collegial and inclusive decision-making processes
- Builds strong administrative teams that work effectively across functional areas
This commitment to equity aligns perfectly with our institutional values and priorities as we work to create an educational environment where all students can thrive.
I am confident that our new vice president's collaborative approach, strategic vision and commitment to student success will make him an invaluable addition to our campus community. His demonstrated ability to maintain fiscal integrity while supporting educational innovation will help us navigate the complex challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
The appointment of our new Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services represents an important step forward for our institution. Farhad’s extensive experience in community college finance and administration, combined with his commitment to equity and collaborative leadership, will strengthen our ability to advance our mission of providing excellent educational opportunities for all students.
I look forward to the positive impact Mr. Farhad Sabit will have on our campus community and the ways in which his leadership will help us build an even stronger institution. Please join me in welcoming him to De Anza College!
Sincerely,
Omar
Omar Torres, Ed.D.
President, De Anza College