The San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) has selected Christina Torres-Peters to be the SJCOE’s new division director of human resources. This selection follows a comprehensive search and interview process that resulted in a highly qualified and competitive group of applicants. Torres-Peters replaces Human Resources Division Director Karen DePrater, who is retiring after serving nearly 20 years in the SJCOE Human Resources Department, including 11 years heading the department.

“As a leader of SJCOE Human Resources, Karen DePrater has overseen the staffing needs of an organization that employs more than 1,600 employees while also being responsible for credentialing and fingerprinting services used by schools across San Joaquin County,” Superintendent of Schools James Mousalimas said. “We wish Karen the best as she enters retirement. We are also excited to welcome Christina Torres-Peters, who brings with her extensive management experience from her career in human resources.”

Torres-Peters comes to the SJCOE from Stockton Unified School District, where she was director of classified human resources. She has extensive and varied experience in human resources management, including as director at Merced College and manager at San Joaquin Regional Transit District. She has a Master of Arts degree from National University and a Bachelor of Science degree from University of San Francisco.

Torres-Peters grew up in Lathrop and graduated from East Union High School. She is a longtime resident of Stockton, where she lives with her husband, David, and two children. She said it means a lot to her to be able to work supporting education where so many of her family, friends, and neighbors have gone to school.

“I have done this type of work elsewhere but it matters to me a great deal that this position allows me an opportunity to continue to do it in my own community,” she said. “I hope the culmination of my knowledge and experience will serve well here at the SJCOE, and I’m looking forward to being part of this team.”

San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) provides educational leadership, resources, and services to support schools throughout the county. With its highly regarded programs, innovative staff, and community partnerships, SJCOE ensures that every student in San Joaquin County has the opportunity of a quality education. For more information, visit www.sjcoe.org.