President
Dr. Ernie Lara
Dr. Ernie Lara brings over 30-years of secondary and
post-secondary experience to his role as President.
His secondary experience includes working for the Phoenix
Union High School District as a counselor and administrator.
His post secondary experience includes working at Arizona
State University, three of the Maricopa Community
Colleges as a faculty member, student services program
director, Division Chair, and Dean of Student Services.
Dr. Lara's extensive career reflects a commitment to
student development and the community college mission.
His experience includes: serving as a university veterans
counselor, high school counselor in an alternative school,
and at the community college he has served as a Director
of a Learning Center and Special Services, counseling
faculty / instructor, Division Chair of Counseling and
student services. He has been employed at three of the
Maricopa Colleges and has been a founding student services
staff member of two of the newest colleges - Estrella
Mountain and Paradise Valley. He came to Estrella Mountain
in 1991 and served as the Chair for Counseling and Student
services until he was appointed Dean of Student Services
in 1998.
Dr. Lara is a member of the National Association of
Student Personnel Administrators, Arizona Association
of Student Personnel Administrators, the Hispanic Association
of Colleges and Universities, and the Society of College
and University Planning. He was selected for the Outstanding
MCCCD Employee Recognition Award sponsored by the Maricopa
Community College Foundation in 2001, League for Innovation
District Innovation of the Year winner for the One -
Stop Student Services Model, and most recently the 2003
National Institute of Staff and Organizational Development
(NISOD) Excellence Award.
Dr. Lara is a community college product, having received
his associate degree from Glendale Community College
(AZ). He holds a baccalaureate degree in History from
Arizona State University, a Master's Degree in Guidance
and Counseling and a Masters of Counseling Degree from
Arizona State University, and a Ph.D. from Arizona State
University from the Higher and Adult Education Program
with an emphasis in Student Development. Dr. Lara has
provided leadership for several of EMCC's career pathway
programs that provide opportunity for at risk youth.
These programs include: Genesis West, inspire.teach,
and the NASA Center for success in Math & Science.
Dr. Lara is a community leader and is active in civic
organizations including: Leadership West, Luke Air Force
- Honorary Commanders Program, and the West Valley Hispanic
Forum Youth Leadership Institute Advisory Board. Dr.
Lara is a veteran and served with the 101st Airborne
Division in Vietnam. He is married has 3 children and
lives in the West Valley.
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At
a Glance:
• Over 30-years of higher
education
experience
• Began serving as President
of
Estrella Mountain in July
2007
• His post secondary experience
includes working at
Arizona State
University at three
of the Maricopa
Community Colleges
• Dr.
Lara is a member of the
National Association
of
Student Personnel
Administrators, Arizona
Association of Student
Personnel Administrators,
the Hispanic Association
of
Colleges and Universities,
and the Society of
College
and University Planning.
• Dr. Lara is a community
college product, having
received his associate
degree from Glendale
Community College (AZ).
He holds a baccalaureate
degree in History from
Arizona State University, a
Master's Degree in Guidance
and Counseling and a
Masters of Counseling
Degree from Arizona State
University, and a Ph.D.
from Arizona State University
from the Higher and Adult
Education Program with
an emphasis in Student
Development.
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