She’s back. Over a decade ago, Dr. Gonzales worked at Granite State College (formerly the College for Lifelong Learning). Much has changed since her departure; however, this institution’s commitment to access and serving adult students remains strong, which is the quality that inspired Dr. Gonzales to return.
She’s walked in your shoes. “I was an adult learner myself. I had a new baby, two part-time jobs, and drove 100 miles a night to get my degree. I fully understand the balance. Whether a student is 18 or 45 years old, education is one of many priorities and we need to acknowledge that and understand what students are juggling in terms of their daily lives—their work, their families, their community.”
She brings prior learning expertise. The former role that Dr. Gonzales had at this institution was as a Prior Learning Assessment Coordinator. In her career, Dr. Gonzales continued to focus on the innovative ways that can help make higher education more relevant, valuable, affordable, and accessible for students.
She’s connected to military students & their families. Dr. Gonzales has close ties to the U.S. Air Force. Her husband and father are retired from the U.S. Air Force and one of her sons is an Iraq War veteran. Throughout her career, Dr. Gonzales has taken an interest in supporting military students and she looks forward to offering this insight to GSC.
She knows New Hampshire. From New Mexico to New Hampshire, Germany to Colorado, Dr. Gonzales has had the opportunity to live in communities around the world. In many ways, New Hampshire is home. She is an alumna of Portsmouth High and she resides in her husband’s childhood home along New Hampshire’s seacoast. Fun fact – According to Dr. Gonzales, there is no place in the world that has apples that are as good as the ones that grow in the Granite State!
She’s a nationally recognized expert in online learning. Dr. Gonzales has been invited to speak about online higher education as an expert panelist at national conferences.
She is ready! “I see my role as the President of Granite State as one who makes relationships and becomes a friend-maker across the state, both within higher education and among our partners: K-12 partners, profits, nonprofits, and the community. How can we help you?”
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