Burt-Nanna inaugurated as MCC’s sixth president  

Listen to this article

DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna was inaugurated as Monroe Community College’s sixth president in a formal ceremony Thursday afternoon reflecting the theme “Transforming Together!” in the Samuel J. Stabins Physical Education Complex on the college’s Brighton Campus.  

Among the dignitaries who spoke were Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and Rochester Mayor Malik Evans. 

Since assuming the MCC presidency in May 2021, Burt-Nanna has dedicated her initial efforts toward ensuring MCC’s mission-centric work focuses on five priorities while setting in motion the development of the college’s new five-year strategic plan.  

She has prioritized efforts that promote equity, education and economic development to create a better Rochester. 

“For six decades, MCC has fulfilled its mission of access for all, maintaining an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion,” Burt-Nanna said. “We will elevate this focus in the years ahead to ensure we leave no one and no ZIP code behind in our commitment to improving the quality of life across our region.”  

In less than a year, Burt-Nanna has formed collaborative partnerships with educators, employers and community leaders to create opportunities through public higher education. 

Among her efforts, are:  

• Convening an Educational Partners Summit in collaboration with the local academia community toward creating a college-going culture in the region, 
• Reinforcing MCC’s position as a leader in innovation and excellence through the newly launched Finger Lakes Workforce Development Center, and  
• Establishing the college’s partnership with Major League Soccer’s Next Pro League to open doors for MCC students and others to pursue internships and gain experience and have access to a professional sports experience. 

She has also worked to align MCC more effectively with area workforce and economic development needs, serving as a New York gubernatorial appointee on the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council’s Executive Committee and co-chairing the council’s Workforce Development Work Group.  

Her leadership has been instrumental in the college’s instituting a $15 per hour minimum wage for employees; the college’s selection to participate in the national Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation initiative aimed at addressing systemic inequities in higher education and the launch of Middle Management Meetings at MCC to promote leadership development and diversity within its community. 

Before assuming the MCC presidency, Burt-Nanna served as vice president of Student and Academic Affairs for South Central College in Minnesota. She has more than two decades of higher education leadership experience, having served in college and university system roles as faculty, department chair, dean, system department coordinator, vice president and senior academic and student affairs officer.  

A native of Muskegon Heights, Michigan, she holds doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s degrees, all from Western Michigan University. 

[email protected] / (585) 653-4021