Dr. Daren Otten is the Superintendent/President of Copper Mountain Community College District.  Over his educational career, Daren has served as a Vice President of Instruction and Student Services, a Dean of Applied Academics and Workforce Development, and a faculty member.  He has been a college facilitator for both Guided Pathways and Strategic Enrollment Management efforts, the Chair of many Committees, and the point person for nurturing and developing partnerships with community entities, including military bases, regional businesses, local municipalities, and educational organizations. 

Before joining the California Community College system, Daren served eleven years as faculty and vice-chair in the department of Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, and Manufacturing at CSU, Chico. He was responsible for revamping an educational program, building a Patron’s Board, student advising, and leading student outreach to historically marginalized and underrepresented populations.

In addition to higher education, Daren has significant private sector executive and technical experience in engineering and global manufacturing and has worked with small startups to Fortune 500 companies.

 He has served on several regional workforce training and development boards and as a regional career and technical education voting member that led efforts in Strong Workforce Planning, Adult Education, and the streamlining of the Curriculum Process with partners from the statewide Academic Senate.  In service of California and the college system, Daren is a Board Member of the Association of Community College Administrators, where he serves on the Commission for Legislative Advocacy.  For the League of Community Colleges, Daren represents 13 colleges in Region 9 on the Advisory Commission for Legislation and on the Funding Formula Taskforce.

Daren holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology and Manufacturing Management, a Master’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, both from California State University, Chico, and a Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from CSU, Sacramento, and prides himself on working as a connector and communicator between educational institutions and the community.

On a personal level, he is an avid fisherman, has completed a full Ironman, and in any spare time can be found tinkering in his workshop.