After a long, national search process, Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) has named Kristina Scott Dean of Student Services - Retention.
“The search committee was extremely diligent and patient in moving through the search process to bring forward this exceptional candidate,” said Dr. Pattie Cardenas-Adame, Vice President, Student Affairs.
Scott started her career with the Maricopa Community Colleges 18 years ago as a Student Services Specialist at EMCC. She has since worked in enrollment services at Glendale Community College and management and site operations at GateWay Community College and has served as director of the Southwest Skill Center and Interim Dean of Students - Retention at EMCC. She currently serves as a Director of Student Services and oversees the Career and Educational Planning Department at EMCC, which includes Advisement, Career and Transfer Services, Community Education, and Testing Services.
Scott is EMCC’s Guided Pathways Co-Chair and works collaboratively with faculty, staff, and administrators on an integrated approach to redesigning the student experience. She also co-leads the I Will Graduate committee, which plans student persistence, retention, and completion activities and events. She is a member of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Reaccreditation Team at EMCC and has had the opportunity to oversee and lead both academic and student support services at multiple locations. Her direct involvement in higher education includes student support services for diverse populations; developing and implementing retention initiatives; student conduct and compliance; budget development, management, and assessment; and cross-college leadership and supervision.
Scott’s past leadership involvement includes serving on GateWay’s HLC Assessment Academy Team to support college-wide learning outcomes and serving as the inaugural director of GateWay Community College’s Deer Valley Campus (formerly Northwest Campus). As the director, she was responsible for overseeing student services and career and technical training programs. She has also worked closely with Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) to grow new and existing programs in the West Valley.
Scott’s community involvement also includes various Maricopa Community Colleges initiatives including being one of the first United Way Internal Loaned Executives, a member of the Women’s Mentor Program Planning Committee, and past Women’s Leadership Group Co-Chair.
Scott has a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas, and a Lean Green Belt certification from Arizona State University. She was accepted into the Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation program at Arizona State University.
“I am passionate about cultivating dynamic partnerships and building effective teams, and am committed to supporting diverse student populations and spearheading initiatives that positively impact student success,” Scott said.
In her role as Dean, Scott will have oversight over Advising, Career and Transfer, Community Education, Counseling Services, Disability Resource Services, Student Life, Wellness and Athletics, Placement Testing, and Veterans Services.