Mel Vines received a Masters of Arts from Long Beach State University in Photography and a MA in Educational Administration and Supervision from California State University, Northridge. Since 1999, Mr. Vines has served Simi Valley Unified School District as an assistant principal to Apollo High Continuation School, Monte Vista School-Independent Study School, Simi Valley High School, and Simi Institute for Careers and Education. At Simi Institute, he is responsible for managing multiple training programs, school accreditation, and overseeing teacher professional development. In addition, he coordinates student financial aid awards.

He is an active member of the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise and teaches photography to youth at Big Brothers & Big Sisters in Simi, as part of VCAC’s Arts & Juvenile Justice program. Mel’s motto is, a student with hope and direction is a person with destiny. He is an avid photographer, married to an elementary school teacher and the father of two adults. He lives in Moorpark, California.