MESA, Arizona -- July 22, 2024 -- Mesa Community College is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Joanne Russell as the college’s Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA). She began serving in her new role July 9, 2024.

Dr. Russell brings more than 25 years of distinguished leadership experience in higher education faculty and administrative roles and is one of 31 leaders chosen nationwide for the 2022-23 class of Aspen Rising Presidents Fellows.

Serving as the college’s Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Russell will administer academic programs and related support activities serving the needs of the diverse MCC student body, while upholding accreditation standards.

About her role at MCC, Dr. Russell said, “I am excited to be at MCC and to work with a leadership team, faculty and staff who share my longstanding commitment to student success, equity, strategic planning and resource development.”

Most recently, Dr. Russell served as the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at the City University of New York (CUNY) Kingsborough Community College where she led the college’s 15 academic departments. She was also responsible for all curricular and assessment matters, research, and faculty development; and oversaw all offices and programs supporting student success, high school partnership programs, athletics, student life, student conduct, student wellness and counseling, Access-Ability services and the Child Development Center.

Previously, she was Provost Fellow for Community College Access Programs and Workforce Development at the State University of New York System (SUNY) Administration, Vice President for Academic Affairs at SUNY Westchester Community College in New York and Chief Academic Officer at Manchester Community College in Connecticut.

Dr. Russell holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Doctorate in Biochemistry from the University of Connecticut.

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Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu or 480-461-7892

Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement, service-learning and innovative approaches to education. On average MCC students provide 23,000 hours of community service annually. For more than 50 years, the college has served as a resource for education, workforce development and lifelong learning. Host to more than 25,400 students annually, MCC offers degree and certificate programs at its two campuses and additional locations through a combination of modalities. MCC is transforming how it champions student success through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. MCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution with nearly 50% of its students being the first in their families to attend college. MCC has the largest indigenous student population of all the Maricopa Community Colleges; its American Indian Institute serves students from the 22 federally recognized Arizona tribes as well as out-of-state tribes. The diverse student body includes hundreds of international students from around the world. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to attain their goals. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, on the traditional territories of the O'odham, Piipaash and Yavapai Peoples, MCC is one of 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District. Visit mesacc.edu to learn more.

MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.