Orange County, CA | PRNewswire | November 1, 2023
The Coast Community College District welcomes Dr. Dana Emerson to the District Office as Executive Dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism, and Accessibility (DEIAA) and Fiscal Stability. In this role, Dr. Emerson – a longtime educator, administrator, mediator, and facilitator – will be responsible for coordinating districtwide DEIAA efforts to increase student retention, close equity gaps, and broaden diversity in employee hiring. Dr. Emerson will also lead efforts to identify resource efficiencies and external funding opportunities.
"Much of my career and professional life has focused on creating inclusive spaces for women, people of color, and other communities that have been historically ignored or marginalized in higher education," said Dr. Emerson. "There are no easy answers when the system is broken; so, we are called upon to do the hard work of challenging the status quo, questioning assumptions, embracing disruption, and changing the ways we do things."
Since 2015, Dr. Emerson has served as Dean of Instruction at Coastline College. She simultaneously served as College Disciplinary Officer in prior years and currently serves as Umoja Coordinator. Her community college career began at her alma mater, El Camino College, in 2002. Dr. Emerson would go on to earn a PhD in Adult and Higher Education with a focus in Leadership from Oregon State University and teach Communications at Linn-Benton Community College where she held the positions of Department Chair, Chair of Academic Affairs, Chair of the Diversity and Civic Engagement Council, Chair of the Faculty Senate, and President Elect of the Faculty Association.
In 1999, Dana started Neutral Ground Mediation and Consulting. Dr. Emerson continues as a sought-after expert on DEIAA work, who facilitates, consults, and coaches community and higher education organizations in conflict resolution, communication competency, leadership, and goal attainment. She has conducted extensive research and published three textbooks alongside other works throughout her academic career.
"Dr. Emerson has a long history of passion, commitment, and dedication to engaging in the hard work that is DEIAA," said Dr. Whitney Yamamura, Chancellor. "I am thrilled she has agreed to expand her equity-seeking efforts on behalf of all students and all employees throughout the Coast District."
Dr. Emerson began as Executive Dean of DEIAA and Fiscal Stability on November 1, 2023.
CONTACT:
Erik Frost Hollins
Director, Public Affairs, Marketing, and the Foundation
(714) 438-4605 | ehollins1@cccd.edu