AURORA, Colo. — The Community College of Aurora is proud to announce Dra. Reyna M. Anaya as Vice President of Student Success. In her new role, Dra. Anaya will lead the Division of Student Success, which oversees everything from student wellness and the Student Government Association to student advocacy and commencement planning.
Dra. Anaya is no stranger to leading the Division of Student Success, having served at the Community College of Aurora since 2018 as Senior Student Affairs Officer and Dean of Student Success, and formerly Dean of Students. During her tenure, she has been a dedicated advocate for CCA’s students, implementing several important initiatives that promote inclusive and proactive student services at the college.
“I am honored to continue my service at the Community College of Aurora as the Vice President of Student Success,” said Dra. Anaya. “I believe deeply in our mission and am inspired every day by our vision to be the college where every student succeeds. I am committed to fostering student excellence through equity-driven practices, data-informed support, and a strong sense of belonging.”
CCA President Dr. Mordecai Brownlee announced the appointment as part of a broader restructuring of the college’s leadership, in alignment with the institution’s long-term strategic plan. Members of the leadership team will take on more focused roles in a continued effort to put student success at the forefront of institutional goals.
In an announcement to the college, Dr. Brownlee said, “These changes are not just administrative—they are designed to help us work more collaboratively, move more nimbly, and deliver on the bold goals that lie ahead.”
Dra. Anaya brings over 17 years of experience in higher education, with expertise spanning student conduct administration, crisis response, and equity-centered student support. She holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership, with a research emphasis on identity, intersectionality, and holistic student development.
Throughout her tenure as Chief Student Affairs Officer and Dean of Students, Dra. Anaya has advanced CCA’s student success efforts through visionary leadership and a deep commitment to care, empowerment, and community building.
Dra. Reyna M. Anaya has led a transformative expansion of student support services, launching the Foxy Mobile Market and snack station initiative to support food security, increase retention of parenting students by 13% through targeted advocacy and scholarships, secure Colorado’s Hunger-Free and Healthy Minds Campus designations, and transition mental health services to 24/7 short-term therapy support.
Dra. Anaya has presented nationally for leading organizations such as NASPA (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators), HACU (Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities), and ASCA (Association of Student Conduct Administration). She has held key leadership roles, including Director of Community Colleges on ASCA’s Board of Directors, Senior Student Affairs Officer Representative for NASPA’s Community College Division, and Community College Representative on the 2025 NASPA Conference Leadership Committee. In 2024, she completed the HACU Leadership Academy—La Academia de Liderazgo, a national program designed for aspiring Latine college executives.
For more information on CCA, visit https://ccaurora.edu/.