Estrella Mountain Community College celebrates president’s 1-year anniversary

July 1 marked one year since Dr. Rey Rivera was appointed president of Estrella Mountain Community College.

Dr. Rivera brought more than 23 years of higher education experience to the position, serving as the Avondale college's Vice President of Learning and mathematics faculty prior to his appointment. While teaching mathematics, he also served two terms as EMCC’s Faculty Senate President.

“I’ve always wanted to serve and support our students, community, and employees,” Dr. Rivera stated. “ What I enjoy most about being the president of EMCC is the continuous advocacy for the students and employees. No matter who I meet or where I go, I’m trying to find ways to bring resources to assist our students and employees.”

He has held several leadership positions at EMCC, including Division Chairperson of Science and Mathematics, Principal Investigator for two National Science Foundation grants, and Interim Dean of Occupational Education.

He was recently selected as a 2019 Aspen Presidential Fellow. He currently serves as the EMCC representative to Western Maricopa Coalition’s Education and Workforce Development Team and was recently elected to the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors.

Additionally, he serves as one of the EMCC Higher Learning Commission Tri-Chairs for Reaccreditation and is part of HLC’s Peer Reviewer Corps.

The Texas native is a first-generation college student, earning his Ed.D. in higher and post-secondary education at Arizona State University, his Master of Science degree in mathematics at Purdue University, and completing his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics at the University of Texas at Austin.