Mesa Community College

Dr. Sonya Pearson

Dr. Sonya Pearson is a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma and joined Mesa Community College in November 2007. She has held various positions within studernt affairs including her last senior level position at Crowder College in Neosho Missouri.

Dr. Pearson's past experience has also included management and/or leadership in the following areas:

• Academic Resources Center and Student Success Office
• Athletics
• Career and Transfer Services
• Campus Compliance Officer
• Disability Services
• Enrollment Management Services (Financial Aid, Admissions, Advising, Registration and Records)
• Family and Adult Literacy Programs (Even Start, Early Head Start, GED and ESL)
• International Office
• Migrant Programs (HEP and CAMP)
• Student Life and Housing
• Trio Programs (UB/UBMS, SSS, EOC)

Dr. Pearson's record of service and leadership in student affairs and the community college system is broad and includes

• 14 years experience in Student Affairs
• 8 years senior leadership in a complex, multi-campus environment
• 18 years working with at-risk populations and students
• 5 years experience as adjunct
• 7 years grant writing and management experience
• 12 years as advisor to the College President Cabinet College Administrtive Council
• 4 different college systems

Dr. Pearson earned her master's degree in counseling and psychology from NE State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and her Ph.D. in organizational psychology from Walden University in Minneapolis. She is also a former Licensed Professional Counselor in Oklahoma and plans to complete her jurist doctor degree by 2012. In addition to her educational and work experience, service to the community is also Sonya's personal mission and has previously been involved with the Red Cross, Relay for Life, Economic Security, Urban League, Department of Workforce Development, and United Way.