Advancing Equity and Opportunity in Higher Education
DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna, Ph.D., sixth president of Monroe Community College, has dedicated more than three decades to advancing student success and equity in higher education. Her leadership spans business, industry, and higher education, creating pathways to socioeconomic mobility in New York, Minnesota, and Michigan.
A proud alumna of Western Michigan University, Dr. Burt-Nanna earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees there, crediting her WMU education with providing “tools, growth opportunities, and support” that shaped her professional trajectory. During her Ph.D. in Higher Education and Student Affairs, she gained both the knowledge and applied experience to navigate complex institutional systems while championing equity, inclusion, and college access.
“I have had the benefit of a WMU education, an education that has provided tools, growth opportunities, and support.”
Her career emphasizes transformational leadership, operational innovation, and workforce development. At MCC, she strategically forms partnerships with faculty, staff, educators, and employers to transform lives through public higher education. She is nationally recognized for her advocacy in diversity, equity, inclusion, and educational attainment, frequently speaking on these topics across local, state, and national forums.
Dr. Burt-Nanna’s board and council service is extensive, including leadership roles with the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Monroe Community College Foundation, American Association of Community Colleges Commission on Structured Pathways, and The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. She has been honored among Rochester Business Journal’s 100 significant power players and 50 Women of Excellence for her leadership, community involvement, and mentorship.
Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Burt-Nanna emphasizes the role of her HESA education in shaping her career: “I have had the benefit of a WMU education, an education that has provided tools, growth opportunities, and support.” For aspiring higher education leaders, her story illustrates the transformative power of advanced study, hands-on experience, and a commitment to equity and community impact.