Flerida Arias
Vice President for Student Services, Modesto Junior College
Flerida Arias-Zaragoza has always been interested in advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California, Davis and a Masters degree in Education from Mills College. Her professional experience has largely been in education and philanthropy, focusing on defending human rights. She is a first generation, foreign-born college graduate and she has first-hand experience of the effects of prejudice, fear and ignorance. Her past work with the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation allowed her the opportunity to meet many people who were committed to transforming lives through education.
Currently, she is the Dean of Equity & Student Learning at Modesto Junior College. Over the last 20 years, she has held various titles in the Student Services Division. She is very excited to be a part of a college campus that is dedicated to investing in their students. MJC is guided by various initiatives to help students enroll, stay in school and successfully graduate and/or transfer to other learning institutions. It is her hope that these exciting times will bring transformation to MJC’s infrastructure and allow it to continue to be the community’s college.
She is looking forward to participating in the New Leadership Network and hopes to develop and strengthen community partnerships and leadership in order to better serve others.