Michael Edwards, Director of Outreach
Michael Edwards is the former Campus Director and Director of Special Education at O’Neal Educational Services. With an emphasis on business development, these past positions have prepared Michael for his current role, as Director of Outreach & Student Success and Support Program (SSSP) at Victor Valley College. These past posts have been both challenging and rewarding experiences that have led to Michael’s personal and professional growth. In the past, Michael supervised the City of Westminster’s Employment Training Program (ETP) Adult Training Program, and the City’s Youth Employment Training Program (YETP). Within this role, he successfully recruited hundreds of students and established a working relationship with numerous community-based employers. Michael has completed his educational studies at the University of San Francisco (USF), with a Master's Degree in Public Administration.
Eva Waller, Administrative Assistant
Eva has been providing excellent customer service for over thirty years. Most of her career was spent in the banking industry, where she worked in various capacities such as new accounts, mortgages, loans, sales, and supervising tellers. For the last six years, she has been working as a private secretary for the Director of Respiratory Therapy and Rehabilitation Services at St. Mary Medical Hospital. Her specialization is in palliative patient care, Kronos, insurance verification, appointment setting, audit and control, billing, and developing a good relationship with doctors and nurses. She has been responsible for various office duties, including keeping employees informed about changes in policy and procedure. Eva is a graduate of Victor Valley College with an Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, San Bernardino. Eva is thrilled to be a part of the Victor Valley team as an Administrative Secretary II for the Outreach Program. She is an honest person and a team player who is eager to take on the challenges that come with the role and work with a great team.
Amy McLaren, Counselor
Amy McLaren is a General Counselor with over five years of academic and administrative experience at a community college level. After graduating with her Master’s Degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Kentucky, she transitioned from a counselor assistant to counseling faculty. Mrs. McLaren has worked with a diverse student population, including Adult Education, Athletics, ESL, and students with disabilities. Her counseling philosophy is student centered, focusing on providing holistic counseling services to assist students both inside and outside of the classroom. Mrs. McLaren joined the Victor Valley College team in February 2021 and looks forward to helping high school students make the transition into college in a smooth and efficient manner all while helping to foster a sense of belonging for them on the VVC campus.
Loretta Amaro, College Recruiter
Loretta Amaro, a resident of Apple Valley, began her journey at Victor Valley College as a student worker in 2011. Shortly thereafter, she transitioned to the role of a substitute clerical technician in the Admissions and Records department until 2016 when she was hired in the Financial Aid Department as a Financial Aid Technician. In 2022, she accepted a position in the Outreach department as a College Recruiter with the purpose of ensuring all students' voices are heard, thus fostering more productive planning to increase student retention rates.
Loretta is a VVC alumna who earned Associate’s Degrees in Math/Science, Liberal Arts, and Business Real Estate & Escrow, as well as a bachelor's in business from Western Governor’s University. Loretta’s passion is to help students succeed in all aspects of life, with an emphasis on their educational goals. Moreover, she is enthusiastic about planning programs and events that will make the educational journey of students easier and more enjoyable.
Saaron Gonzalez, College Recruiter
Saaron Gonzalez is a California native from the city of East Los Angeles. She is on track to complete her master’s degree in education at Claremont Graduate University this May. Her educational journey began at Occidental College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree as a first-generation college graduate.
Her professional path has been dedicated to serving underrepresented communities in education and social services, empowering individuals to pursue their career and academic aspirations. In social services, she served as an Employment Specialist, supporting unhoused veterans in accessing resources and preparing for employment opportunities.
Transitioning to higher education, Saaron has held roles in career services and admissions. At Pomona College, she played a vital role in diversifying the student population and fostering relationships with counselors and prospective students.
Saaron deeply appreciates the transformative impact of community colleges, having witnessed their positive influence on those around her while growing up. She looks forward to collaborating with each of you, learning from your experiences, and exploring opportunities to introduce more students to VVC and its offerings.
Saaron recently moved to the High Desert with her husband and their puppy, Rex. If you have any recommendations for local eateries or must-visit spots, she'd love to hear from you!