MESA, Arizona – July 29, 2019 – Mesa Community College is pleased to announce Dr. Lori Berquam as its Executive Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. She assumes her new duties today, July 29, 2019.
In the newly created role, Berquam will work collaboratively with faculty and staff in strengthening a culture committed to the success of all students. As an integral and actively engaged member of MCC’s leadership team, she will lead academic and strategic enrollment, while planning and guiding the transformation of academic, occupational and student support programs and services to meet the needs of students, faculty, staff and community partners in a multi-campus, multi-modal environment.
Berquam is responsible for building a comprehensive system of Guided Pathways, a student-centered approach providing opportunities for exploration and informed choices. She is tasked with enhancing the transfer and workforce partnerships; supporting a broad range of student support and retention programs; implementing a strategic enrollment management plan; and promoting innovation and educational excellence.
"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the Mesa Community College faculty and staff to advance the MCC mission," said Dr. Berquam.
Prior to joining MCC, Berquam completed a prestigious fellowship through the American Council on Education, serving in the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Arizona, Tucson.
Berquam, who has more than 25 years of higher education leadership experience, has served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Arizona. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Colorado State University, a master’s in student affairs administration from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Psychology from Truman State University in Missouri.
She has been a keynote speaker at state and national conferences and, in 2018, received the Chief’s Leadership Award and the P.B. Poorman Award for the Advancement of LGBTQ Issues.
“We are so pleased to have Dr. Lori Berquam as an integral member of our leadership team at MCC. I am confident in her ability to lead our new model for academic and student affairs while ensuring we fulfill our vision of becoming a Guided Pathways institution,” said Dr. Richard Haney, MCC president. “Throughout the interview process Lori articulated her focus on student success as a guiding principle in strategy development and decision making. She has a deep understanding of our vision to integrate academic engagement with co-curricular educational experiences to better serve our students. Throughout her year-long fellowship with the American Council on Education, she worked with several community colleges and those experiences ignited her passion for the MCC mission.”
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Media Contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7892
Mesa Community College is nationally recognized as an Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. Community College and is known for service learning, career and technical programs, civic engagement and innovative approaches to education. The college serves as a resource for career readiness, transfer education, workforce development and lifelong learning. Host to more than 30,000 students annually, MCC offers degree and certificate programs online, at its two campuses, the Mesa Downtown Center and additional locations. Through the implementation of Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services, MCC is transforming ways it champions student success; college completion, university transfer and career attainment for all students. MCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution. The diverse student body includes more than 400 international students representing over 60 countries. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training to empower MCC students to compete locally and globally. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, MCC is one of the 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District. Learn more at mesacc.edu.
Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
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.