Valerie Romero

My name is Valerie Romero, Student Rights and Grievances Manager at Saddleback College. I am delighted to serve as your advocate through your college experience. I started my higher educational pathway at a junior college and transferred to Chapman University. I know how hard it is to be first-generation Mexican-American and also first-generation college student.

I spent 17 1/2 years at the Orange County Public Defender's office fighting for justice in our communities, ensuring the rights and liberties were safeguarded and ethical investigative procedures were followed for our clients facing punitive sentences.

Following my criminal defense investigator career, I worked at North Orange County Community College District as HR Coordinator, EEO & Compliance supporting our campuses with complaints of Title IX and Unlawful Discrimination involving employees and/or students. I am honored to provide my combined education and experience in supporting our students/staff at Saddleback College as our students experience life changing events.

In my new role, I will be supporting our students in the following:

• Customized/Detailed, Title IX Training for Students as needed for athletic, club, organization, on-campus or off-campus events, field trips, and/or activities.
• Title IX training for students experiencing issues with current Title IX training platform. Students may request alternative Title IX training to meet annual Title IX training requirement with Student Rights and Grievances Manager.
• Title IX student complaints including student vs. student or student vs. employee; however, student complaints involving employees will be forwarded to SOCCCD Human Resources (HR). Student Rights and Grievances Manager will provide students with supportive measures during complaint investigation and thereafter.
• Title IX- Pregnancy Support, Reasonable Accommodations will be provided by Student Rights and Grievances Manager.
• Title IX- Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Stalking, Sexual Assault/Sexual Harassment, supportive measures will be provided by Student Rights and Grievances Manager. Even if Title IX issues are occurring off-campus, Student Rights and Grievances Manager can provide students with supportive measures.
• Religious Accommodations for courses/field trips/activities on or off-campus will be provided by Student Rights and Grievances Manager
• Unlawful Discrimination Complaints involving student vs. student will be received and processed by Student Rights and Grievances Manager. Complaints involving student vs. employees will be received by Student Rights and Grievances Manager then forwarded to SOCCCD Human Resources. Student Rights and Grievances Manager will provide supportive measures to students during complaint investigation and thereafter.