Podcast with Dr. Adame: Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick

Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick, a Dominican Republic native, holds a Master and Ph.D. degrees in education from ASU. She has been a teacher and a mentor to many, is a national leader in higher education and a strong advocate for access to opportunity, equity, and student success. In this episode she discusses her background, what drives her and provides life advice. Dr. Harper-Marinick served the Maricopa Community College District for almost 30 years in a variety of leadership roles, including as Chancellor for the system. She is a Senior Fellow for the College Excellence Program and The Aspen Institute. She is very committed to service in the community and has actively engaged in national and local boards including American Association of Community Colleges, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and many others. She currently serves on the Boards of Excelencia in Education, Creighton University, and numerous others. In addition, Dr. Harper-Marinick has been the recipient of various awards and recognitions, including: 2017 Valley Leadership Woman of the Year, and 2017 One of the Valley’s Most Admired Leaders, to name a few. Dr. Harper-Marinick was featured in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine as one “25 women who have made a difference in the world by tackling some of higher education’s toughest challenges and exhibiting extraordinary leadership skills”. Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick shares about her life of service, the discrimination she has faced and how she defines success. She mentions, "life is about choices and smiles are free!" She also provides a bit in Spanish, "es una sola vida, no la desperdicies, y tenemos que empoderar a nuestros jovenes latinos a desarollarse!