Alumni Spotlight: Marisa E. Pierce
Marisa Pierce, Ed.D., earned her doctorate from the College of Education in 2015 and has moved on to become an impactful leader in higher education as an administrator at Dallas College in Dallas, Texas. Read about her journey and the advice she has for current students.
UTEP Degree: Doctor of Education, Educational Leadership and Administration
Graduation Year: 2015
Current Title: Associate Vice Chancellor, Enrollment Management at Dallas College, Dallas, Texas
Why did you decide to pursue a career in education?
I’m the oldest of 5 siblings and I always served as a role model for my brothers and sister. It started with me being able to provide them with guidance and advice in school and life. This also carried over into the lives of my sons – to this day, I try to support them all in their education and career aspirations as best as possible.
Yet, the truest testament to my love for education started when I was a permanent substitute teacher very early in my career. I really enjoyed supporting my students and their families in their academic aspirations, although, I must admit that I had trouble being confined in a classroom all day. I needed to move around and be open to visit and speak with people freely. I wanted to be an advocate for education, but the initial approach I took was not the right fit.
I entered higher education under the guidance of one of my best UTEP professors, Dr. Jorge Descamps. It was the greatest thing I ever did. I began my higher education career in the Office of Admissions and Recruitment at UTEP. Broadly engaging students, families, communities and our partner schools was the most amazing part of my work. The on-campus recruitment events, school visits and campus tours were always a welcome challenge – we were opening the doors to a world of opportunities in those days. I worked with many team members in Admissions and Recruitment and that made the work fun. To this day, almost 20 years later, some of us remain very close friends.
What's the most rewarding aspect of this profession?
The most rewarding aspect of my work is changing lives. In my years in higher education, I often reflect back on my service to a program called GEAR UP. I was very fortunate to serve as the Project Director for the GEAR UP Program at El Paso Community College. The program was a federally funded pre-college outreach program and grant intended to serve a cohort of secondary students in the rural areas of El Paso County, specifically in the Anthony, Canutillo, Clint, Fabens and Tornillo school districts.
I spent seven of the best years of my life working with GEAR UP. To support our students and their families (many of these families were immigrants from Mexico) was incredibly rewarding. I say this because I am a product of a binational, bicultural upbringing. I was educated in both the City of Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico and the City of El Paso. I have a very special place in my heart relating to my educational experiences in Juárez.
More importantly, my lived experiences helped me understand what life was like for my GEAR UP students, their siblings and parents. I knew their hopes and wishes, and I was empathetic to what were often their silent challenges. Our teams worked with a growth mindset of supporting our schools, allowing us to take each of these participating school districts from single digit college-going rates in the beginning of our service to double digit college-going rates by the end of the grant. Again, to make a difference in their lives was truly a priceless gift.
What have you learned from your students?
People teach us so much if we are willing to listen. I think the most important thing I’ve learned from students is that we all have a story – and that I am simply part of a path that is crossed in their personal journeys. Because of this, I have learned to be mindful of how I serve as a support system for our students and their families. As a community college leader, there are many lives I touch, from young, school-aged children who are aspiring to come to college, to older adult learners who are looking to reinvent themselves to improve their lives and the lives of their children. I would not change a thing about the road that I have traveled with the students that I have been blessed to support and guide along the way.
What are challenges you've overcome in your career?
I believe myself to be a person who always enjoys helping others. As a leader, I have generally been the type of individual who will go out of their way to give you the very best of me. I have consistently aspired to deliver my work with a high level of integrity and with the utmost positive attitude, although this can sometimes come with its challenges. There comes a time in our life where we need to understand our own limitations and giving every ounce of yourself may not be always the right approach. We need to understand the importance of boundaries between the personal and professional. While I have tried to remain strong on that mantra; it has not always been well received by others. I sometimes have felt that, despite the fact that I am a strong leader in my own way, my desire to set clear boundaries is sometimes given the opinion that I am opposed to going above and beyond. This is never the case. As I get older, I just simply understand how important it is to have space between your personal and professional life – we only get to do this life once.
What is a key lesson you learned as a UTEP student that you still use in your career?
The value of mentorship. There is nothing quite like having people in life help, support and guide you through your own lived experiences. Mentors are people who see you for who you are, they foster growth from deep within and challenge us to be better than we ever were before. More importantly, the uniqueness of a mentor/mentee relationship often comes with the benefit of lifelong partnerships and friendships. I continue to be mentored in my career up to this very day. I have also had the opportunity to serve as mentor for several colleagues in the profession. Some of the relationships have been fostered through national organizations while others have just shown up through simply natural connections. Either way, as a mentor, I’m hopeful that I can help people find their shine – what makes them authentically the person that they are. I want them to embrace it as much as I do. More importantly, as a mentor I have made a lifelong commitment to learn as much from them as they can learn from me.
What advice do you have for current UTEP students?
When I reflect on my educational and career aspirations, so many things go through my mind. One thing stands out more than most: the act of perseverance. I had so many instances when I felt like giving up, but I never did. I would encourage everyone to keep going. Our journeys will take us on paths with unexpected twists and turns. This is alright, it is only just another step in growing and learning from our lived experiences.
What does it mean to you to be recognized as a leader by national organizations, such as the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship program?
I am eternally grateful for the opportunities I have been afforded through my participation in fellowships like the National Community College Hispanic Council (NCCHC), HACU and Aspen. I am blessed and fortunate that our college has found value in investing in me. Each of these programs has played an important role in my learning and growth as a leader. Each opportunity has presented a chance to meet new friends and extended family, fostering a remarkable network of colleagues and peers who have taught me so much. One of the most treasured aspects of being part of these organizations is the ability to learn from the wisdom of seasoned leaders who came before us. Their nuggets of truth and reality are some of the greatest gifts one can receive as we aspire to be the humble and passionate leaders that they were or still are of our times. I can only hope to give back to my students what all these experiences have imparted on me.
