story by Laurie McLaughlin
image by Matt Brown
When Kathleen O'Connell Hodge and her husband, Vern Hodge, travel overseas, they make it a point to tour local universities and colleges. "We're really social historians and social politicians," says Kathleen of the campuses they've seen in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. "We love the spirit of universities."
Fortunately, the passion the Hodges share for education has also provided the couple with careers in teaching and administration in the community college system. Vern, (B.A., communications '76; M.S., counseling '79) recently retired after more than 30 years as vice president of student services at Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College. Kathleen (B.A., communications '71; M.S. counseling '75), an educator, counselor and administrator within the community college district for 28 years, was appointed president of Fullerton College a year ago.
The 90-year-old Fullerton College is the oldest continuously running community college in California, a point Kathleen is quick to mention. "As an educator, I feel that assuring access to education for all members of the community is the most powerful component of social change."
In the late '60s both Kathleen and Vern were simultaneously honing their administrative skills as student body presidents at their respective community colleges - Vern attended Golden West College, and Kathleen was at Citrus College. The transfer students met at CSUF during a time when social activism was sweeping the nation's campuses. They are both advocates for community colleges - often the only access points to higher education for a growing segment of Orange County.
"Being a college student at Cal State Fullerton was very influential in framing my strong commitment to improving society as we know it," says Kathleen, who also earned an Ed.D. from USC. "The feminist movement, the cultural movement, the advancement of race equality, and of course, the Vietnam War, all framed my thinking."
This summer, the pair is vacationing in China, and they will visit universities and colleges during their travels. She expects they'll come back with yet another perspective on education and social change.
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