Dr. Liz Csikar is an experienced educator and academic leader whose career has been defined by a love of learning and a commitment to student success. Dr. Csikar's academic background reflects the kind of intellectual range she encourages in her own students. She earned a BS in Biology, a BA in Literature and Rhetoric, a Master’s in Biology, and completed her PhD in Instructional Design and Technology. This interdisciplinary foundation, spanning the natural sciences, the humanities, and organiztional development, gives her a distinctive perspective on curriculum, student success, and leading an academic division.
She has taught Human Anatomy and Physiology in person, online, and in hybrid formats, mentored new adjuncts and faculty, and co-created free online lab manuals that reduced costs and improved accessibility for students. Her teaching philosophy has always been student- centered: assessment should detect learning and mastery, not create barriers to success.
As Faculty Senate President, Dr. Csikar joined the president's cabinet and helped stabilize MCC through significant leadership transitions. As Department Chair of Life Sciences, Dr. Csikar oversaw 20 residential faculty, 16 adjunct instructors, and 9 staff members across 2 campuses. She guided improvements to course success rates and enrollment through data-informed scheduling, targeted equity work with the DEI director, strengthened program review processes, and the development of a district-wide undergraduate research course. She also has expertise in fiscal stewardship, facilities management, and building leadership capacity within her department.
Beyond her department, Dr. Csikar co-founded the district-wide Futures Thinking Community of Practice, working to integrate strategic foresight across the Maricopa system. She has served on the Advisory Budget Council, and contributed to MCCCD's Academic Master Plan and Strategic Plan. She has published peer-reviewed research on storytelling in science education and adaptive learning design.
An avid hiker and photographer, and a student of jewelry making, welding, and blacksmithing, Dr. Csikar believes that staying creative and curious outside of work makes you a better leader inside it.
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| Dean of Academic Affairs Forum - Liz Csikar-20260624 1951-1 | aPAc7G5x |
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Meeting summary Dr. Liz Csikar presented her vision for the interim Dean of Academic Affairs role, emphasizing collaborative leadership, mentorship, and data-informed decision-making to enhance faculty engagement and student success.
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