Academic Portfolio
I believe that leaders in higher education are at a pivotal moment, and one of the greatest opportunities we have right now is to harness artificial intelligence. By using AI, I see the potential to expand access for students, promote equity across diverse populations, and strengthen overall student success. I also recognize that if we approach these tools thoughtfully and ethically, we can transform our institutions into more adaptive, equitable spaces that truly meet the needs of today’s learners.
The proposal recommends enhancing Oracle HCM by streamlining processes, creating a user-friendly interface, and improving role-based training to reduce errors, inefficiencies, and reliance on IT.
The proposal outlines how MCCCD can strengthen its fragmented conflict resolution system by implementing a centralized, technology-driven platform called the Conflict Management and Resolution Hub (CMR-Hub). This system will standardize processes, expand mediation access, provide training, and improve transparency, ultimately fostering a fairer and more efficient resolution culture across all ten colleges.
My leadership philosophy is rooted in transformational, collective, servant, and democratic leadership, which together emphasize vision, collaboration, empathy, and inclusivity. Through my experiences as Co-president of Staff Representation at Maricopa Community Colleges, I have applied these approaches to build trust, foster equity, and inspire organizational transformation. I also draw inspiration from the leadership of Dr. Kate Smith at Rio Salado College, whose example reinforces my belief that leadership must be ethical, authentic, and evolving focused on service, culture, and shared responsibility.
This research proposal investigates the barriers classified staff at MCCCD face in participating in shared governance and professional development, highlighting issues of morale, recognition, compensation, and limited voice in decision-making. Using a mixed-methods survey approach grounded in Self-Determination Theory, Organizational Learning, and Communities of Practice, the study aims to identify strategies that foster greater staff engagement, equity, and institutional inclusion
Re-imagining the future in Higher Education
“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” – John F. Kennedy