Dean of Student Affairs Search

Ms. Winona Hammond-Thirion has dedicated her career to fostering student success and enhancing educational opportunities within higher education institutions. With a Master of Education in Human Relations and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, her academic background aligns seamlessly with her passion for supporting students' holistic development.

Throughout her extensive professional journey that includes direct experience with multiple community colleges and district-level leadership, Ms. Hammond-Thirion has demonstrated a commitment to excellence. Currently as the Interim Dean of Student Affairs at Scottsdale Community College, she supports staff, students, and faculty while ensuring that the strategic planning and budgetary goals of the departments are exceeded. Her duties also include mentorship, staff supervision, and collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including tribal communities and external partners.

Prior to joining the Maricopa County Community College District, Ms. Hammond-Thirion worked as a Social Worker which equipped her with invaluable skills in case management and community outreach. These experiences fostered her ability to skillfully navigate complex situations and advocate for marginalized populations, ensuring equitable access to resources and support services. These skills continue to be used today as she actively engages in Title IX training and cases within the District and she is dedicated to upholding legal and ethical standards in educational environments. In addition, her involvement in various committees, councils, and conferences underscores her commitment to continuous learning and collaboration within the educational landscape.

Her dedication to student success and inclusivity is clearly seen in her work, as she continues to make a positive impact within her community. Through her expertise, she fosters a campus culture of support, empowerment, and belonging, encompassing her belief that every student deserves an opportunity for education.

Ms. Stacey Gustavson currently serves as the Interim Director of Collegewide Access and Enrollment at Montgomery College, a multi-campus institution in the suburbs of Washington, DC, with a diverse population of 43,000 credit and non-credit students representing more than 155 nations. She provides leadership and vision for recruitment, outreach, admissions, visitor services, and enrollment support. With over 18 years of progressively responsible experience in community colleges, she is deeply committed to building pathways and initiatives that remove barriers to student access and success utilizing strategic planning, data, and new technologies while fostering collaborations that create welcoming environments and improve the student journey. She has been a leader and champion for equity and inclusion initiatives, collaborating throughout the college and surrounding community.

Ms. Gustavson has served on numerous collegewide committees, including co-chairing subcommittees for the President’s Advisory Committee on Equity and Inclusion, Student Affairs Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Taskforce, Language Advisory Group, and assisted in the implementation of the Truth Racial Healing and Transformation Center. In addition to her leadership at Montgomery College, she has been active at the state and national level. Most notably she is a member of the Maryland International Education Consortium Board of Directors, where she served as board secretary from 2019 to 2022 and in 2019, she contributed to the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) "Inclusive Admissions Policies for Displaced and Vulnerable Students" policy paper. Ms. Gustavson is pursuing a doctorate in Education, Policy, and Organizational Leadership from the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, holds a master’s degree in Higher Education, Administration from the Pennsylvania State University, and a bachelor’s degree in Studio Arts from New York University.