Marisa Pierce

2022-23 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellow
Dr. Pierce has 26 years of experience in education encompassing secondary and post-secondary roles in various educational institutions. In fall 2020, Pierce was appointed associate vice chancellor for enrollment management for Dallas College, in Dallas, Texas. In her role, she has actively served the college in its recent transition through a successful single accreditation. Due to the single accreditation, she is one of several staff members that serve in an inaugural leadership role for Dallas College.

She served Dallas County Community College as a vice president of student services and enrollment management at North Lake College. Pierce came to Dallas after serving El Paso Community College (EPCC) for 12 years in multiple leadership roles. Her primary responsibilities included Recruitment, College Readiness, Testing Services, New Student Orientation and extensive Pre-College Outreach efforts through federally funded programs.

A visionary, passionate and inclusive leader, she has additionally served in executive roles in direct support of multiple student success programs and initiatives. Her service includes work with: GEAR UP, MMI/Minority Males of Color, Texas Pathways, AACC Guided Pathways, and Achieving the Dream.

She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Foundations, a Master’s Degree in Reading Education as an instructional specialist, and a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Speech Communications, all from the University of Texas at El Paso. Pierce resides in Arlington, Texas with her husband Gus, who is also a higher education administrator at U.T Arlington. They are proud parents of two sons, Marq and Nicolas.