Dr. Marielena DeSanctis will be the next president of Community College of Denver (CCD), effective Jan. 15, 2021.
“With six years of experience as an engineer for a top manufacturing company and over 22 years as a leader in education, Dr. DeSanctis exemplifies deep understanding of issues facing students and higher education, a bold vision for the future, and the executive experience to manage the intersection of sustaining financial health and innovation,” said Colorado Community College System Chancellor Joe Garcia.
DeSanctis is presently provost and senior vice-president of academic affairs and student services at Broward College, a Florida Hispanic-serving institution.
There, she helped to narrow the gap between passing courses for Black and White students by half and implemented a new college readiness and enrollment program in partnership with the local school district focused on supporting schools with high rates of racial/ethnic minorities and Free and Reduced Lunch eligibility, according to officials in the Colorado Community College System.