President Biography

President, Arizona Western College

Dr. Reetika Dhawan serves as the 10th President of Arizona Western College (AWC), the community college serving the largest geographic district in Arizona and a nationally recognized leader in rural and border-region education. She leads the institution's mission to expand educational opportunity, workforce excellence, and economic mobility across the communities it serves. Dr. Dhawan is the first woman and first person of color to serve as president in the college's 63-year history.

With nearly two decades of service to Arizona Western College, Dr. Dhawan brings deep institutional knowledge, a passion for student success, and a commitment to building partnerships that transform lives and strengthen communities. Prior to becoming president in June 2026, she served in multiple leadership roles, including Vice President of Workforce Development and Healthcare, where she helped position AWC as a regional leader in workforce innovation, industry collaboration, and economic development.

Since assuming the presidency, Dr. Dhawan has focused on expanding access to high-quality education, strengthening workforce pathways aligned with emerging industries, and fostering a culture of innovation that prepares students for the opportunities of tomorrow. Her leadership is grounded in the belief that community colleges are powerful engines of opportunity, economic mobility, and community transformation.

A mathematician, physicist, educator, and innovator, Dr. Dhawan’s career has been defined by expanding access to STEM education and workforce development. She has taught students at every level, from tutoring and preparing students for professional entrance examinations in India to teaching mathematics and physics at community colleges and universities across multiple states. As a faculty member at Arizona Western College, she pioneered contextualized mathematics instruction that connected classroom learning to real-world careers, helping students understand the relevance of STEM in their lives and future professions.

Before becoming president, Dr. Dhawan led the development and expansion of high-impact workforce and career pathways in public safety, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, technology, logistics, and other high-demand industries. Under her leadership, Arizona Western College established innovative programs, expanded employer partnerships, and created new opportunities that have helped thousands of students gain skills, credentials, and employment throughout Yuma and La Paz Counties.

Dr. Dhawan has successfully secured and led transformational federal, state, and private investments totaling tens of millions of dollars to support student success, workforce training, healthcare initiatives, STEM education, broadband expansion, and rural economic development. Her collaborative leadership has strengthened partnerships among industry, government, K–12 schools, universities, and community organizations, creating lasting benefits for students and the region.

A recognized advocate for innovation in higher education, Dr. Dhawan has championed future-focused learning models that integrate workforce readiness, technology, artificial intelligence, and experiential learning. She is committed to positioning Arizona Western College as a national model for rural innovation, workforce transformation, and student-centered education.

Dr. Dhawan holds a Doctorate in Instructional Design from National University, a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics from the University of Washington, and graduate degrees in mathematics and physics from universities in India. She also holds Arizona teaching certifications and has contributed to scholarly work and grant-funded initiatives focused on STEM education, contextualized learning, and workforce development. Her leadership of National Science Foundation-supported projects reflects her commitment to evidence-based educational innovation and student success.

Her contributions to education and workforce development have earned regional and national recognition, including the Congressional Award for Career and Technical Education Excellence, the E. Kika De La Garza Fellowship, the Athena Leadership Award, the Heart of Yuma Leader Award, and Arizona Western College Teacher of the Year honors. She currently serves on multiple regional and statewide boards supporting education, workforce development, healthcare, aviation, and economic advancement and is widely recognized as a collaborative leader and advocate for student opportunity.

Born in India, Dr. Dhawan immigrated to the United States and pursued her passion for mathematics, science, and education while navigating the challenges of being a first-generation immigrant and woman in STEM. Her personal and professional journey reflects her deep belief in the transformative power of education and the vital role community colleges play in creating pathways to opportunity, economic mobility, and lifelong success.

As president, Dr. Dhawan is committed to building upon Arizona Western College’s proud legacy while preparing the institution and its students for the opportunities and challenges of the future. Her leadership is guided by a commitment to student success, workforce excellence, innovation, and community impact. She remains deeply dedicated to Arizona Western College’s mission of transforming lives through education and partnerships to create thriving communities.

“Education is the bridge between opportunity and possibility.”
— Dr. Reetika Dhawan