Catherine Franco is the Manager of Workforce Development and Career Education at Diablo Valley College (DVC), where she leads initiatives that bridge education and industry. She is dedicated to helping students gain real-world experience, build career readiness skills, and transition seamlessly into the workforce.
With a master’s degree in organizational psychology, Catherine has spent her career designing career education programs, workforce training initiatives, and employer engagement strategies. She has held leadership roles in Student Services and Instruction at DVC and has been instrumental in developing pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, industry advisory boards, and experiential learning opportunities.
Her work ensures that students—especially community college and first-generation learners—have access to paid internships, career pathways, and hands-on training that prepare them for success.
Passionate about empowering students through education and workforce development, Catherine enjoys collaborating with faculty, employers, and community leaders to increase access to fulfilling career opportunities for the next generation.