With more than 18 years of experience working for the California Community College system, Fresno native Eric Mendoza will be the first Associate Dean of Athletics at West Hills College Coalinga.
Mendoza will fill the position in August for the fall semester and comes to the role with many years of experience in athletics and student development.
“I’m looking forward to joining the West Hills College Coalinga campus and community,” Mendoza said. “This unique position provides a great opportunity to continue building on a proud Falcons academic and athletic tradition. The college and district leadership is highly regarded across the state and I’m excited to work with the staff and an inspired group of coaches and students.”
Mendoza has a long career in athletics and has received several honors for his work with students.
He most recently spent two years as Director of Student Development and Athletics at El Camino Compton Center in Los Angeles, where he oversaw the athletic department through the installation of a new football field, renovation projects and the addition of a women’s volleyball program.
Mendoza has also been the Director of Student Programs and Athletics at Porterville College, where he helped build a women’s volleyball program and instituted priority registration for student athletes. He has also worked as Fullerton College’s Sports Information and Marketing Director and served in various marketing and public relations roles for statewide affiliate groups and at California State University, his alma mater.
He has been active in many state athletics organizations including the California Community College Athletic Directors Association and the Central Valley Conference and Southern Coast Conference and has coaching experience.
Since 2014, he has been the CCCADA project manager for Coaches vs. Cancer – working with the CCC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Coaches Associations with annual fundraising campaigns for the American Cancer Society.