Jeff Hittenberger, PhD is a Professor of Education and the Director of the Graduate Program in Education at Vanguard University. Previously Jeff served as the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) at the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE). Prior to joining the OCDE team, he served in the Santa Ana Unified School District, at the Monterey County Office of Education, and at Vanguard University, where he most recently served as provost/vice president of academic affairs.

Dr. Hittenberger has been an educator for more than 30 years. He holds a Ph.D. in educational policy, planning, and administration from the University of Southern California. He has taught elementary school, high school English and History, and was a university faculty member teaching education courses and ultimately serving as Dean of the School of Education. 

Dr. Hittenberger has done research and training globally, serving on United States Agency for International Development funded projects in Cameroon and Mali, and working on research projects in South Africa, Israel, and Haiti. He was also a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar for a year in Morocco. Jeff was a co-founder of the Global Business Academy at Valley High School in Santa Ana. Currently Jeff also serves as a Board of Directors at the Orange County United Way.
 
Jeff and his wife of more than 30 years, Christine, are the proud parents of a daughter and a son, both of whom are products of the Orange County public school system. 

“BRDG seeks to empower students from underserved communities with the support and resources they need to thrive and lead in the field of engineering. BRDG is committed to integrating the skills of technology with deep thinking about the ethics of technology, with the goal of using the tools of technology to contribute to a better world and a more just, equitable, collaborative and compassionate society. That is just the kind of vision we need and I’m delighted to join the effort.” Dr. Jeff Hittenberger