South Mountain Community College is pleased to announce that Maria Bailey-Benson has been selected to serve as the Interim Dean of Academic Affairs for the Fall 2026 semester.
Ms. Bailey-Benson brings a wealth of leadership, instructional, and administrative experience to this role. She has dedicated many years to higher education, serving as a faculty member and division chair at South Mountain Community College before most recently serving as Interim Academic Dean at Phoenix College where she provided strategic leadership for academic programs spanning STEM, health sciences, public safety, and transfer education. She offers more than 25 years of professional experience as an academic leader and engineer, providing her with a broad perspective on leadership, collaboration, and organizational effectiveness.
As Interim Dean of Academic Affairs, Ms. Bailey-Benson will provide leadership and oversight for several key student-centered initiatives, including our Early College programs, which encompass Dual Enrollment, Hoop of Learning, and the Achieving a College Education (ACE) program. She will also oversee the American Indian Student Center and the Bilingual Nursing Fellowship Program, helping to advance initiatives that expand educational access, promote student achievement, and support the diverse communities we serve.
Drawing on her previous experience as a division chair, Ms. Bailey-Benson is well positioned to support the work of our academic division chairs, faculty, and staff while fostering collaboration across the Academic Affairs division. Her deep understanding of the college, her commitment to shared governance, and her student-centered approach will serve our campus well as we continue to strengthen academic excellence and student success.
Since joining SMCC in 2013, Maria has served in a variety of roles, including business faculty member, Program Director of the Ultimate Technology Program, Faculty Developer, Student Affairs Council Co-Chair, and MCLCTL Division Chair. Her commitment to student success and innovation has helped create meaningful educational experiences and strengthen partnerships throughout the community.
Maria earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Maria is honored to return to a community that has shaped much of her higher education career and looks forward to partnering with faculty, staff, and students to build upon SMCC's long standing tradition of excellence.
Outside of work, Maria enjoys Pilates, interior design, and spending time with her husband, Tyrone, and their family. South Mountain Community College also holds a special place in her family's story. Her daughter, Bailey, participated in the ACE Program, an experience that helped launch her educational journey and reinforced Maria's belief in the transformative power of community colleges. Maria is passionate about creating opportunities that empower students, strengthen communities, and cultivate the next generation of leaders.
Ms. Bailey-Benson will officially begin her appointment on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. We are delighted to welcome her back to South Mountain Community College and look forward to her leadership during this interim appointment.
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Bailey-Benson back to South Mountain Community College and in congratulating her as she assumes this important leadership role in support of our students, employees, and college community.