Dr. Sonia Rodarte Llamas holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California, a Master of Social Work from California State University, Long Beach, and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley. She has also advanced her leadership training through the AASA Aspiring Superintendents Academy for Female Leaders, APU’s Next Generation Superintendent Academy, and CASBO’s Chief Business Official Certification Program.
A seasoned educational leader with over 25 years of service, Dr. Llamas is devoted to advancing equity, inclusivity, and and a relentless focus on student equity and success. As the current Associate Superintendent of Support Services for the Orange County Department of Education, and formerly as Chief Academic Officer, she has championed initiatives to ensure every student is equipped to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Her leadership is distinguished by a commitment to professional development, strategic partnerships, and the integration of sustainable resources and technologies. She has worked collaboratively with school districts, community agencies, and educational boards to develop programs that effectively meet the diverse needs of all learners.
Drawing from her background as a licensed clinical social worker specializing in child, youth, and family services, Dr. Llamas brings a holistic lens to educational leadership. She has spearheaded initiatives such as the Integrated Wellness Coordinated Care Plan, the "We Care" Mental Health Campaign, and the systemwide implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), creating school environments where students flourish both academically and personally.
Her extensive career spans roles from ELD tutor and K-12 counselor to director and assistant superintendent. Before joining OCDE, Dr. Llamas served as Assistant Superintendent of K-12 School Performance and Culture at Santa Ana Unified School District, where she led efforts that significantly improved graduation rates, enhanced student well-being, reduced chronic absenteeism, and developed a $1 billion Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) to strategically align resources with student needs.
A first-generation Latina and bilingual leader, Dr. Llamas serves as Region 6 CALSA Board of Director, President of OC CALSA and mentors aspiring administrators through the CALSA Mentoring Program. Her dedication to educational excellence and student advocacy has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Valuing Diversity Award (ACSA Region 17, 2023), Counselor Advocate of the Year (CASC, 2022), Catalyst of Hope (Project Hope Alliance, 2022), Woman of Distinction (Senator Tom Umberg, 2022), and Woman of the Year (Congressman Lou Correa, 2021).
Outside of her professional life, Dr. Llamas is a proud mother of three sons and has been happily married for over 20 years. Her personal and professional experiences uniquely position her as a passionate advocate for building equitable, inclusive, and thriving educational systems that serve students, educators, and families across Orange County and beyond.
