Costa Mesa : Coast College Names a New Dean of Students

Orange Coast College has named Sharon K. Donoff its new dean of students.

The 43-year-old associate dean of students replaces David A. Grant, who became director of the college’s marine programs in July, officials said.

Donoff has been with Orange Coast for 15 years. She joined the faculty in 1971 as a physical education instructor. Two years later, she was named assistant dean of students and was promoted to associate dean in 1975.

While associate dean, she developed the college’s scholarship program into one of the largest among California community colleges, campus officials said. The program awarded $105,000 to students last year, up from $12,000 annually when she took over.

She also is credited with developing the college’s on-campus Women’s Center and coordinating a reentry program for women.

She said her next goal is a fund-raising campaign to build a new student center for the 25,000-student campus.

Donoff is a graduate of UC Davis and received a master’s degree from Cal State Long Beach. She taught mathematics and physical education for five years before joining the Orange Coast faculty.

Donoff and her husband, Michael, a computer instructor at Mission Viejo High School, live in Laguna Beach.