Dr. Jana Schwartz

President of Paradise Valley Community College

Dr. Jana Schwartz is honored to serve as President of Paradise Valley Community College, where she leads with vision, purpose, and a deep commitment to student success. With a focus on innovation and academic excellence, she empowers faculty, staff, and students to co-create a vibrant learning community that fosters growth and transformation. 

A passionate and student-centered educator, Dr. Schwartz is deeply committed to the community college mission and to ensuring the success of all students. As a proud Puma, you might catch her attending one of the many campus events, supporting student programs, and connecting with the PVCC community. She warmly welcomes everyone to explore the beautiful campus and is incredibly proud to serve a community that has been  co-creating and advancing the college’s mission for nearly 40 years.

With over 25 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Schwartz joined Paradise Valley Community College in February 2019 as Vice President of  Student Affairs. In that role, she led a comprehensive Student Affairs Division, focusing on creating affirming spaces where all students could achieve academic and personal success.

Before her tenure at Paradise Valley Community College, Dr. Schwartz held leadership roles at Front Range Community College in Colorado, serving as both Dean of Pathways and Student Success and Dean of Student Affairs. She also directed the Center for Human Enrichment at the University of Northern Colorado, a program dedicated to the success of first-generation college students. Her career began in residential living-learning environments at the University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Schwartz champions a holistic approach to education, fostering creativity, self-awareness, and a lifelong commitment to learning.

Dr. Schwartz's academic background includes a Ph.D. in Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership from the University of Northern Colorado, a Master of Arts in Student Development in Postsecondary Education from the University of Iowa, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Central College in Iowa. She remains actively involved in the higher education community, teaching graduate-level courses and mentoring emerging leaders at Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Colorado-Denver.

Outside of her professional life, Dr. Schwartz enjoys living in Arizona with her family, where they spend time on the soccer pitch, explore the outdoors, and stay closely connected to the local community.

Contact Info
Michelle Tonn
Executive Assistant
[email protected]
602-787-7183