El Camino College Celebrates Women’s History Month, Recognizing Distinguished Women of 2026
El Camino College concluded Women’s History Month with a reception honoring the Distinguished Women Award winners for 2026: Cynthia Cervantes, Mia Dobbs, Edith Gutierrez, Germany Kent, Brandi Odom Lucas, Lesley Meza, and Maureen Barbara O'Donnell (in memoriam).
Nominated by friends, family and colleagues, this year’s winners were selected by El Camino’s Women’s History Month Committee, based on their contributions to women’s and girls’ causes or community service that aligns with this year’s National Women’s History Month theme, “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.” This theme expands the concept of sustainability beyond environmental concerns as women design blueprints for sustainable transformation by developing green technologies, advancing economic justice, strengthening education systems, and building civic power. Financial sustainability, community resilience, leadership succession, and intergenerational equity are also included in the theme that supports both people and the planet.
The accomplishments of these award winners will be featured on the El Camino College Women’s Wall of Fame (in the Schauerman Library) throughout the year, and their names will be engraved on a plaque that is a permanent part of the display.
2026 El Camino College Distinguished Women
Cynthia Cervantes is a full-time childhood education instructor at ECC, where she has served for more than a decade. She has a master’s degree in educational psychology and a bachelor’s in child development from CSU Northridge and began her higher ed journey at Santa Monica College. At El Camino, she has launched numerous initiatives designed to support pregnant and parenting students, such as playgroups, workshops, support networks, a resource fair, curriculum, and education opportunities. Cervantes’ work extends beyond campus through partnerships that improve access to essential resources for student parents. She is part of an El Camino team collaborating with Generation Hope on the FamilyU program, and helped facilitate a partnership with Connections for Children, enabling students to receive free on-campus assistance in locating and paying for child care – an essential support that allows many parents, particularly women, to continue their college education.
Dr. Mia Dobbs teaches anatomy and physiology at El Camino, inspiring students with her passion for science, student success, and innovative education strategies. A champion for expanding student opportunities in STEM and health-related careers, Dobbs helped create the Biotechnology Program at the college, creating a clear pathway that enables students – including many women – to explore well-paid careers in biomedical and biotechnology fields. Beyond the classroom, she serves on the Division Council and is known across campus for her creative and memorable lessons. In 2025, she was recognized with an Intuit Educator Award, highlighting her outstanding contributions to science education. She also regularly speaks to students about pursuing science careers and participates in biology workshops for area youth at ECC’s Onizuka Space Science Day. Dobbs earned a master’s and a bachelor’s degree at CSU Long Beach and a doctorate at Pepperdine University.
Dr. Edith Gutierrez is a higher education leader, scholar, mentor, and advocate for educational equity whose work centers on expanding access, opportunity, and success for first-generation, low-income, and historically underrepresented students. As ECC’s dean of Student Support Services, she oversees programs such as EOPS, CARE, CalWORKs, and the FamilyU initiative – all providing holistic support to students so they can navigate and succeed in higher education. Her work with these initiatives strengthens educational access, empowers women leaders, and builds sustainable support systems, along with academic counseling, financial assistance, and wraparound services that enable them to excel in college and balance work/family responsibilities. Gutierrez earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in Chicana/o studies from UCLA, a master’s in counseling from CSU Long Beach, and a doctorate in educational leadership from UCLA.
Germany Kent is an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and global thought leader whose work in media, education, and advocacy empowers women, youth, and underserved communities. Her writing and commentary on leadership, media literacy, and digital responsibility have been widely cited by schools, libraries, universities, and media outlets worldwide. A lifelong advocate for literacy, Kent is also an internationally recognized author whose critically acclaimed book “You Are What You Tweet” sparked national conversations on cyberbullying and social media etiquette and was later selected for a White House digital ethics campaign. Her mentorship initiatives and youth media programs – including her signature initiative Producing Hopeful Souls – help young women and students of color access professional media spaces and develop leadership skills. As a parent of three Mira Costa High School grads, she remains invested in the educational success of South Bay youth.
Dr. Brandi Odom Lucas is a distinguished educator, equity advocate, and leader whose work has significantly influenced academic institutions, student success initiatives, and educational equity throughout Southern California. As head of school at St. Mary’s Academy in Inglewood, Odom Lucas is deeply committed to serving, supporting, and leading innovative educational initiatives that ensure young women are empowered to realize their full potential. After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychobiology from UCLA, she was a medical researcher until she found her passion for education and launched her full‑time teaching career at the high school level. Odom Lucas also holds a master’s degree and doctorate from Loyola Marymount University. Her work embodies a lifelong commitment to nurturing inclusive educational environments; advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion; and shaping sustainable, student‑centered leadership.
El Camino career counselor Dr. Lesley Meza is known for her leadership in supporting women – particularly women of color – and for cultivating opportunities for students and colleagues to thrive academically, professionally, and personally. She played a key role in creating initiatives on campus that promote women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship, such as the inaugural All Things Business Expo, a campus event designed to give student entrepreneurs an opportunity to showcase and promote their businesses, and a Women of Color network that brings faculty, staff, and students together to share experiences, explore identity, and strengthen community. Meza earned a bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara, a master’s degree from CSU Northridge, and a doctorate in educational leadership for social justice from Loyola Marymount University. Through her mentorship, community building, and scholarship, she inspires women to see themselves as leaders and changemakers.
Maureen Barbara O’Donnell was a dedicated civic leader, education advocate, and longtime South Bay supporter for more than five decades. She attended El Camino from 1959 to 1961, where she quickly emerged as a student leader. Her commitment to the college continued many years later when she was elected to the El Camino Community College District Board of Trustees, representing the Torrance area from 2005 to 2013. In this role, she helped guide policies that supported student access, academic excellence, and responsible stewardship of college resources, while advocating for opportunities that benefited students and the community. O’Donnell was also involved with the YWCA and other civic groups. Her service was recognized when she received the Presidential Achievement Award from Ronald Reagan in 1982. O’Donnell passed away on May 18, 2024. Her enduring legacy at El Camino College and in the South Bay continues through the generations of leaders she inspired.