Marielena DeSanctis is the future president for the Community College of Denver. She currently serves as the provost and senior vice president of academic affairs and student services of Broward College.
DeSanctis has more than 22 years of experience in education, including roles in classroom teaching, curriculum development, instructional design, learning assessment, and progressive leadership roles in both K-12 and higher education.
Before taking on her current role, she had served as a high school assistant principal and principal, as an assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, and as a central campus president and vice president of student affairs.
Broward College serves approximately 63,000 students through three main campuses and five instructional centers in south Florida and 10 SACSCOC accredited centers worldwide, six international affiliates, and eight international partner institutions.
DeSanctis is an active and passionate advocate for her local, state, and nationwide community. She is a member of the 2019-20 class of the Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence and a member of Leadership Florida Class XXXV.
Before answering a call to education, she worked for almost six years as an engineer in the manufacturing and construction sector. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, a master’s degree in math education from Nova Southeastern University, and an EdS and a PhD in educational leadership from Florida Atlantic University.
Born in South Florida to a mother who emigrated from Cuba, she is fluent in Spanish. Among her accomplishments, she is most proud of her two children—Conner (26) and Allie (23). She currently resides in Palm Beach County, Florida, with her husband Lance DeSanctis, their dogs Harley, Stitch, and Lexi, and a parrot named Cowboy.