DeAnna Burt

2020-21 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellow
Dr. DeAnna R. Burt has more than two decades of higher education leadership experience supporting students, faculty, and staff. Currently, she serves as the vice president of student and academic affairs at South Central College in Minnesota.

Dr. Burt has held progressive campus and system leadership roles as faculty, department chair, dean, system department coordinator, vice president, and senior academic and student affairs officer on the presidents’ cabinets in two- and four-year, union and non-union, public and private multi-campus institutions in two states. Her exemplary leadership has been pivotal to advancing key campus and system strategic priorities for student success, implementing operational efficiencies, and facilitating organizational culture change. She has also held various positions in business and industry and maintains laser-like focus as an advocate for diversity, equity; and inclusion; educational access and attainment; philanthropy; and workforce development at the local, state, and national levels.

Dr. Burt is characterized as a visionary and authentic leader, an inspiration, systems thinker, and woman of integrity. A 2008-2009 ASHE/Lumina Dissertation Fellow and 2019 graduate of the Thomas Lakin Institute for Mentored Leadership, she studied abroad, has received a host of awards and recognitions, and speaks publicly in various personal and professional capacities.

Academically, Dr. Burt holds a doctor of philosophy in educational leadership, research, and technology; a master of business administration; and a bachelor of business administration in computer information systems with minors in business and religion, each from Western Michigan University.