Dr Joyce K Elsner came to South Mountain Community College in 2003 to serve as Vice President of Administrative Services. In July 2010, she was appointed Interim President as the college began its national search for a new permanent president.
Having come to the Maricopa County Community College District in 1979, Dr. Elsner served as Dean at Rio Salado Community College, Dean and Vice President of Administrative Services at Glendale Community College, and as Vice President of Administrative Services at South Mountain Community College.
Dr. Elsner earned her doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles, in Higher Education, Community Colleges. She received her Master of Science degree in Child Development from the University of Arizona, and her bachelor’s degree in Child Development from California State University, Long Beach, California.
Since 1987, Dr. Elsner has served as a Consultant-Evaluator and an Accreditation Chair for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Within the South Mountain Village area, she has served on the South Mountain Village Planning Committee (2005-2010), and as a Board Member for the South Mountain YMCA. In addition, she was the first female member of the Glendale Rotary Club, eventually serving as Club President.