EDI Champion Award 

Dr. Tina Ngo Bartel
Executive Director, San Diego & Imperial Center of Excellence

Dr. Tina Ngo Bartel exemplifies extraordinary leadership in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). With more than a decade of experience in workforce development and education, she has dedicated her career to helping people achieve their academic and career goals. Dr. Ngo Bartel is known for her innovative research, groundbreaking initiatives, and steadfast commitment to eliminating systemic barriers. Her notable efforts have identified significant equity gaps and directly supported organizations across California in securing grants for education and workforce development, amplifying resources for underserved populations.

Dr. Ngo Bartel began her educational journey at UCLA, earning a bachelor's degree in political science and government. She then obtained a master’s degree in international management from the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy before completing a doctorate in educational leadership at UC San Diego.

Before joining the community college system, she served as Director of Research and Business Programs at the San Diego Workforce Partnership, the region’s Workforce Development Board, from 2012 to 2017. In this role, she built and led two departments, managed a $3.5 million budget, and oversaw a team of 15. Her labor market research efforts secured over $25 million in grant funding for San Diego County, while her business support initiatives preserved more than 450 local jobs. She is also a skilled strategist in procurement, event coordination, and public speaking, having presented at over 80 events to promote workforce development initiatives.

In 2016, Dr. Ngo Bartel’s passion for EDI led her to join the board of Civic Communities, an organization focused on driving economic growth in underserved neighborhoods. As a board member for over eight years, she continues her commitment to creating positive change both in and out of the classroom.

Dr. Ngo Bartel has continued to demonstrate her unwavering commitment to advancing EDI through her leadership at the San Diego & Imperial Center of Excellence (COE), where she serves as Executive Director. In this role, she conducts research to advocate for employer and student needs in workforce programs, policies, and practices. Under her leadership, the COE has played a pivotal role in securing over $20 million in grants, directly funding initiatives that expand educational and career opportunities for underserved populations.

One of her most notable achievements is spearheading the region’s largest community college professional development program, the Faculty Institute. Since its inception in 2020, the initiative has provided over 500 faculty members and 134 counselors with essential tools to support students facing systemic barriers to success. By fostering inclusive teaching practices and student-centered support, Dr. Ngo Bartel’s efforts have significantly strengthened educational equity, ensuring more learners have the resources needed to thrive in their academic and professional journeys.

Dr. Ngo Bartel’s contributions have been widely recognized. In 2023, she and her team received the Community, Economic, and Workforce Research Award from the Council for Community and Economic Research for their transformative initiatives. In 2024, her work on Black student equity was featured on CBS 8 San Diego, highlighting critical findings that promote a more inclusive and prosperous region.

In addition to her own recognition, Dr. Ngo Bartel celebrates those who promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. In 2025, her teamled a coalition of educational institutions and community organizations in launching the first-ever Inclusive Workplace Champion Awards for the region’s community colleges. This initiative, supported by multiple organizations, recognizes employers committed to fostering diverse and equitable workplaces. Through this effort, she has created a platform that prioritizes EDI in workforce development.

Her leadership also played a key role in shaping the California Jobs First Southern Border Coalition Regional Plan, a 250-page analysis of economic, environmental, and health disparities across San Diego and Imperial Counties. Engaging over 200 stakeholders and holding 18 community feedback sessions, she ensured that historically underrepresented communities were central to the plan. This collaborative effort secured $14 million for the region, laying a foundation for equitable and sustainable economic growth.

Dr. Ngo Bartel’s research in workforce equity has also driven meaningful change. Her study, “Priority Jobs & Programs: Addressing Equity Gaps for a Diverse Workforce,” identified significant disparities in high-demand, high-wage middle-skill jobs across San Diego County. Her findings revealed underrepresentation of women, Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), and younger workers in priority jobs and training programs, leading to actionable recommendations for employers and colleges to improve workforce representation and address labor shortages.

Through her work, Dr. Ngo Bartel has shaped both educational institutions and community organizations, inspiring a culture of collaboration and inclusivity. Her dedication to addressing systemic inequities continues to create a lasting impact.

The RP Group is proud to celebrate Dr. Ngo Bartel with our 2025 EDI Champions Award!

Dr. Michelle Fowles
Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, Los Angeles Valley College

Dr. Michelle Fowles is an exemplary leader and champion in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion. With over 20 years of experience in higher education and community colleges, she is known for fostering data-informed decision-making and institutional accountability to support student success, enrollment management, and institutional improvement.

She is a first-generation college student, having taken her first sociology class at Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) while still in high school. She earned her bachelor's degree in sociology at Stanford University, where she conducted extensive independent research. Dr. Fowles later earned her Master of Arts in sociology from Princeton University and her EdD from UCLA. Her deep understanding of the student experience, combined with her academic background, fuels her passion for eliminating barriers to success.

Since 2009, Dr. Fowles has served as the Dean of Institutional Effectiveness at LAVC, where she leads efforts to enhance the college's performance through data-driven strategies and continuous improvement initiatives. She ensures that data is not only provided but also analyzed through an equity lens and made accessible to all. Currently serving on the Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) committee, she has been instrumental in innovating the program mapper, linking it to the course schedule so students can seamlessly plan their academic paths. This initiative reflects her commitment to making the community college system more navigable, especially for underrepresented students.

A dedicated advocate for equity and inclusion, Dr. Fowles plays a leading role in LAVC’s antiracism efforts and serves on the campus Umoja Advisory Committee and the Accreditation Steering Committee. Since 2021, she has led the LAVC Anti-Racism Committee, driving meaningful dialogue, advocacy, and action to support underrepresented student groups. She is committed to fostering inclusive spaces for difficult but constructive conversations, ensuring that all voices are heard.

Beyond LAVC, Dr. Fowles serves on the Los Angeles Community College District Chancellor’s Black/African American Student Affairs Advisory Committee. She has also contributed her expertise to The RP Group’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee and the African American Transfer Tipping Point Project Advisory Group.

Dr. Fowles is also a mentor and advocate for faculty and staff. She has collaborated with the LAVC’s Professional Development Coordinator to create workshops and surveys addressing unconscious bias, antiracism, and equity. She actively supports professional development and has helped women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ professionals advance in their careers through guidance and encouragement. As an ally, she shows up, provides data to inform discussions, participates in committees, and offers a safe and supportive space.

Dr. Fowles’ dedication to institutional effectiveness and her passion for education continue to positively influence the LAVC community and beyond.

The RP Group is proud to honor Dr. Michelle Fowles’ leadership with the 2025 EDI Champions Award!