As Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) prepares to bid farewell to Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Anne Suzuki later this month, the college does so from a position of strength, momentum, and possibility. During her tenure, PVCC has made significant gains in student recruitment and retention; advances that have positioned the college for further growth and impact in the communities it serves.
“It’s as if PVCC is on a springboard, ready to dive,” she described. “We've taken the leap; our college is at the point where we’re moving from potential to kinetic – ready to launch.”
That sense of readiness reflects years of intentional work centered on student success, equity, and connection, work that Dr. Suzuki has championed throughout her career and brought fully to life at PVCC.
“Dr. Suzuki has played a critical role in building the momentum PVCC is experiencing today. Working alongside Anne has been both a privilege and a joy,” said Dr. Jana Schwartz, PVCC president. “She has helped create a culture at PVCC where students, staff, and faculty feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed. Her influence reaches far beyond her title, and her legacy will continue to shape our college for years to come.”
A Career Rooted in Student Success
Dr. Suzuki was appointed Interim Vice President of Student Affairs in September 2023 and was named to the position permanently in June 2024. Prior to that appointment, she served as Dean of Student Development at Chandler-Gilbert Community College from 2020 to 2023 and earlier as Dean of Student Affairs at PVCC from 2017 to 2020. She also spent 17 years at Arizona State University (ASU), holding leadership roles including Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management, Director of Student Programs and Outreach, and Manager of Student Support Services.
With nearly 30 years of experience across two-year and four-year institutions, Dr. Suzuki has dedicated her career to supporting student success through innovative systems, inclusive practices, and strong community partnerships. She holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology and East Asian studies from the University of Arizona, a master’s degree in international and multicultural education from the University of San Francisco, and a doctorate in leadership and innovation from ASU.
“Higher education should be a place where new ideas are encouraged and every student feels they belong,” Dr. Suzuki said. “That belief has guided everything I do.”
A Culture of Collaboration
Although much of her professional background was rooted in four-year universities, the community college environment has carved a special place in Dr. Suzuki’s heart. She joined PVCC in 2017 to help lead the implementation of Guided Pathways, a district-wide initiative designed to improve student retention and completion by aligning academic and support services around students’ end goals.
“The concept starts with the student’s finish line,” she explained. “Leadership works backward to ensure the systems are in place to help students complete what they start.”
At PVCC, this meant breaking down silos and intentionally aligning counseling, advising, and career services so teams could collaborate more effectively and share information, an approach that has paid dividends in retention and student momentum. Dr Suzuki worked jointly with faculty and staff including former PVCC employee Norma Chandler, Counseling Chair Jim Rubin, and Student Services Director Naiema Shamoon. Over the past two years, these collaborative efforts have contributed to nearly 20 percent growth in fall enrollment and a 4.5-percentage-point increase in fall-to-fall retention, building on the partnerships established with faculty and academic affairs and the foundation established by Dr. Jen Miller and Frank Amparo, Deans of Student Affairs.
In her early tenure as dean, she also focused on creating systems that recognized and celebrated the people behind the work. One of her most visible contributions was the collaborative creation of Puma Praise, a community-building initiative designed to highlight the college’s collective commitment to student success. PVCC’s web designer Marc Varner was instrumental in creating a mechanism to make this a reality, helping to build pride and unity across the PVCC community.
“There are so many wonderful people who help me succeed,” she said. “It was very intentional to develop a way to thank people and give them recognition.”
Dr. Suzuki was also instrumental in launching and supporting numerous programs that continue to shape PVCC today, including the Giving Tree holiday initiative, Equity Now, PVCC’s Peer Leader Program, and the Foster Youth Champion program developed with Lori Espinoza, which has since evolved into a broader, inclusive Intercultural Center.
Leadership, Mentorship, and the Power of Listening
Dr. Suzuki’s approach to leadership is deeply personal and reflective; she has shaped her own leadership and mentorship philosophy by observing both effective and ineffective leaders throughout her career.
“I often think about whether leaders are built or born,” she said. “For me, it’s been about learning from what I’ve seen and choosing a path that feels authentic.”
At the core of that path is connection.
“What I simply love most is connecting people,” she said. “If there is something I can do to help someone get to the next phase of their goals, I want to help. How can I use their strengths and passions to help them reach their own potential?”
Her secret, she says, is listening. Really listening. Dr. Suzuki believes trust is built through consistency, visibility, and action.
“You’ve got to show up and repeat,” she said. “People need consistency. To build trust, you need to show action.”
At PVCC, that visibility has been essential. Dr. Suzuki believes students and staff need to see their leaders engaged, attending events, following up, and creating an environment where people feel safe, seen, and empowered to participate.
The decision to retire was not one Dr. Suzuki took lightly. With a strong leadership team now in place and the college positioned for continued success, she feels confident in what lies ahead.
She credits colleagues Interim Vice President of Student Affairs Frank Amparo and Vice President of Administrative Services Corey Weidner for providing stability during key transitions from 2017 onward, and describes working alongside PVCC President Dr. Schwartz as “a privilege and chance of a lifetime.”
And while Dr. Suzuki is stepping down from her role at PVCC, she is not stepping away from higher education. She will continue teaching graduate-level courses and will remain active as a representative on both the Arizona State University West Valley Board and a non-profit called Boost a Foster Family.
As PVCC prepares for its next chapter, Dr. Suzuki’s impact is unmistakable, etched into programs, partnerships, and a campus culture built on belonging and possibility.
PVCC now stands, as she describes it, on the edge of that springboard, ready to dive.