Marielena (Marie) DeSanctis

President, Community College of Denver

Marielena DeSanctis commenced her tenure as president of the Community College of Denver on January 15, 2021. An educator and administrator for over 20 years, she has served in many roles in the K-12 and higher education sectors and also brings with her nearly six years of experience as an engineer in private industry. Marielena currently serves as a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Board on Higher Education and the Workforce; a member of Jobs for the Future Policy Trust Council; on the Workforce Development Committee of Downtown Denver Partnership; and as a board member of the Colorado Education Initiative. She is a graduate of the Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence, and Leadership Florida. She received the 2016 Hispanic Woman of Distinction among other honors.