Carmen Prado Newland

Carmen Prado Newland has more than 25 years of leadership experience in higher education with a focus on achieving goals of enhancing access and improving the student experience. Prior to joining MCC, Carmen held leadership positions at Arizona State University, Phoenix College, and she also worked with students at Fort Lewis College, San Juan College, and the University of New Mexico. 

Serving at MCC since 2015, Carmen currently is co-chair of the MCC Guided Pathways Task Force, which is leading a collegewide redesign. She launched the MCC and Mesa Public Schools College Advisor program, which was selected as a Program to Watch in 2019 by Excelencia in Education, and has been at the forefront of implementing the innovative partnership with the City of Mesa -- the Mesa College Promise program.

A first-generation college student, Carmen has a B.A. In Psychology and Family Studies from the University of New Mexico and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Community College Leadership from Kansas State University.

Carmen is an active member of her community. She completed Valle Del Sol’s Hispanic Leadership Institute-East Valley and served as a mentor for the Maricopa Women’s Mentor Program, the Maricopa Latino Leadership Academy, and several additional community organizations. In 2015, she was selected as a National Community College Hispanic Council Leadership Fellow and participated in training designed to prepare Hispanic leaders to meet the changing needs of community colleges and community college students.