May 7, 2025

Editor's Note: This message was updated 5/8/2025 to include J's last day with the SRJC Foundation. 

Dear SRJC Community,

I’m pleased to share that after a thorough search, I am recommending Sarah Laggos to serve as the next Executive Director, SRJC Foundation and District External Relations. Pending approval at the May meeting of the Board of Trustees, Sarah’s first official day in the role will be Monday, May 19, 2025.

This appointment carries particular significance as Sarah has been a valued member of the SRJC community since 2012. In her current role as Director of Philanthropy for the SRJC Foundation, she has helped advance our mission through inclusive fundraising, deep community partnerships, and a commitment to educational equity. Her work is rooted in the belief that every student deserves access to the resources they need to succeed. She actively engages with colleagues from academic and student support programs to bridge students’ needs with donors’ interests, creating a seamless financial support system for students. 

Sarah succeeds J Mullineaux, whose years of service and leadership helped shape the Foundation into a trusted and impactful institution. J's last day with the SRJC Foundation is June 26, 2025. We are grateful for J’s lasting contributions and leadership. As this role evolves to include oversight of District External Relations, Sarah is well-positioned to build on that foundation and guide the work forward. 

In her expanded role, Sarah will continue to lead the Foundation’s comprehensive advancement efforts—including annual and major giving, corporate partnerships, scholarship programs, and alumni engagement—while also serving as a member of the President’s Cabinet. She will help advance the District’s priorities through community engagement, government relations, and strategic partnerships across all SRJC campuses and sites.

With over two decades of experience in advancement, donor engagement, and strategic communications, Sarah brings both depth and perspective to this work. Her career began at DePaul University in Chicago, where she also taught courses in business communication and social impact. She holds a master's degree in public service management and a bachelor's in psychology.
 

Beyond her professional contributions, Sarah is deeply rooted in the community. She currently serves as a commissioner for the Sonoma County Library, co-founded a scholarship fund supporting underserved students, and volunteers with youth programs. At home, she and her husband, Rick, are proud parents to their 10-year-old daughter Emma, who keeps them on their toes, and they share their lively household with Rick’s son, Nick, and two spirited dogs, Ozzy and Krunch.
 

Please join me in congratulating Sarah for serving in this role. I look forward to her leadership of the SRJC Foundation, innovation in philanthropy, and deep commitment to building authentic and student-centered relationships with donors, industry partners, and political partners throughout Sonoma County.  

In Community,  

Dr. Garcia

Angélica Garcia, Ed.D.
Superintendent/President
707-527-4431, angelicagarcia@santarosa.edu