Merced College welcomes two new deans

Two new deans joined Merced College’s administration and will work in the college’s student services division.

Angela Tos is the new dean of students services, and Michael McCandless is the new dean of student equity.

McCandless, a Turlock native, attended Merced College and has been an instructor in the school’s English Department. As dean of student equity, McCandless plans to eliminate barriers hindering students’ access and success at Merced College.

“I feel that it is absolutely necessary to be proactive in the area of student equity,” he said in a statement. “My role is to assess and improve our efforts at reducing the hardships and barriers that many of our students face as they navigate through college. Their success is ultimately what will guide my decision.”

McCandless earned his bachelor’s degree in English literature from University of California, Santa Barbara and a master’s degree and doctorate in literature at California State University, Stanislaus.

Tos, originally from Nevada City, recently served as the dean of student services for College of the Sequoias in Visalia. She oversaw counseling, admissions and records, assessment articulation, student affairs and activities, the student success and support program and the welcome center.

Tos has 17 years of experience in counseling at the university, community college and high school levels. She has a bachelor’s degree in communication and a master’s degree in educational counseling from Fresno Pacific University. She completed her doctorate of education in organizational leadership from Brandman University.

“Every decision I make will be to further benefit our students,” Tos said in a statement. “I have a passion for the whole area of student services, and I am excited to be here.”

This story was originally published August 4, 2015 at 12:31 PM with the headline "Merced College welcomes two new deans."