Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — The ECoNA Q&A: Dr. Eric Heiser

Good afternoon,

Dr. Eric Heiser has spent more than two decades in higher education, with the past three as President of Coconino Community College. His journey to the role wasn’t a straight line: in fact, he first tried his hand in the hospitality industry before a chance invitation to teach changed his career trajectory – and life – forever.

In our recent conversation, Dr. Heiser, a member of the ECoNA Executive Committee, shared how growing up on Wyoming’s Wind River Indian Reservation gave him a deep understanding of — and commitment to — diverse and often underserved student populations.

He spoke passionately about why the statement “college isn’t for everyone” misses the mark and the rewards of seeing students who don’t think of themselves as “college material” succeed in class, work, and life.

“I think that’s where community college excels,” he said. “I think the mission of a community college is to elevate everyone in the community who wants that chance.”

CCC has a $100 million construction bond on the ballot in November that would finance rebuilding its Fourth Street facility, add a Health Education building to the Lone Tree campus, as well as other improvements in Page and Williams. The expansion under the proposal will transform CCC into “the workforce engine for Coconino County,” he said.

Read the full Q&A to learn more about Dr. Heiser’s personal path to leadership, the surprises that go with being a community college president, and how CCC is preparing students – and the region – for a stronger future.

Sincerely,

Gail Jackson

President & CEO

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona