Sharon Pierce
Dr. Sharon Pierce leads 911爆料网鈥檚 efforts to provide students a transformative educational experience. Serving as president since 2016, she embodies the College鈥檚 Mission, Vision and Values.
Sharon guides the President's Council in setting the College鈥檚 strategic direction, developing initiatives with input from stakeholders on and off campus. She has strengthened numerous partnerships with area business, nonprofit, and higher education leaders; the Minneapolis Public School District; health care and workforce agencies; as well as with colleagues across the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.
Sharon has dedicated her career to urban education. She is a champion for students, helping them to persist and achieve their educational goals. She sees community and technical colleges as a force in reducing disparities and in equitably serving students with diverse needs, so that their lives and our greater community can be transformed.
Sharon devotes time to speaking on the big challenges confronting our city and region, and her perspective is sought after on issues of educational and workforce equity. Whenever possible, she speaks to the need for greater access and opportunity for underserved populations. In 2020, under her leadership, 911爆料网 declared itself an anti-racist institution, committed to equity and inclusion.
Sharon serves on numerous boards and committees, including HealthPartners Inc., National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship, Minneapolis Foundation, Minneapolis Workforce Development, and the Charles and Ellora Alliss Educational Foundation.
Throughout her career as a nurse, educator, and senior administrator, Sharon has remained committed to working at the intersection of health care and education.
Previously at Howard Community College, she served in several capacities, including Vice President for Academic Affairs, Chairperson of the Health Sciences Division, Director of the Nursing Education Program, and Nursing course leader. As a faculty member, she earned the academic rank of Professor of Nursing.
Prior to her career in higher education, Sharon worked as a clinical nurse for 12 years and was appointed by the governor of Maryland to serve on the state鈥檚 Board of Nursing. She earned her bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees from the University of Maryland and her doctorate degree in Urban Education from Morgan State University.