A seasoned administrator and first-generation high school and college graduate, Dr. Tania Acosta brings more than 24 years’ experience in key senior-level positions at the multi-campus, Hispanic-Serving Institution of Miami Dade College, including those of Interim Campus President, Dean of Student Services, Director of Campus Administration, Emergency Management Incident Commander, Chief Information Officer, Facilities Coordinator, and also as adjunct faculty.
She provides strategic oversight and operational direction for a comprehensive, complex array of student services and enrollment functions, including but not limited to, Counseling and Retention, Student Success Initiatives, Student Life, Special Programs, Student Outreach and Onboarding, Enrollment Services, Financial Aid, Student Health and Wellness, Marketing, and Campus Police, and other duties as assigned. Additionally, she provides leadership in advancing institutional goals related to equity, student access, retention, student support, and degree completion.
Dr. Acosta’s vast experience involves key roles and responsibilities specifically
relating to student enrollment management, institutional effectiveness, strategic
planning, community resource development, employee compensation, deferred maintenance,
emergency management, fiscal accountability & austerity measures, employee leadership
training and development. Her background includes training and experience dealing
with mental health, and suicide prevention. She chaired the campus Behavior Intervention Team (BIT), has National Incident Management System (NIMS) certification, and served as Campus Incident Commander for more than a decade. Furthermore, she served as a member of the Dept. of Justice (DOJ) Sexual Violence Prevention Coordinated Community Response Team.
In the community, she served as a member of the Homestead/Florida City Chamber of Commerce, and as a member of the Board of the Economic Development Council (EDC) of South Miami-Dade. The EDC serves a community of over 600,000 residents, 140,000 workers, and 20,000
businesses in South Miami-Dade. In her capacity as a board member, Dr. Acosta had
oversight of the strategic economic development plan dedicated to the sustainability,
resiliency and vitality of the unique communities served by the EDC.
Dr. Acosta earned a Baccalaureate degree in Public Administration from Florida International University, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from American Intercontinental University, and a Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education Leadership/Organizational Leadership
from NOVA Southeastern University. She is a graduate of The Chair Academy’s Global Leadership Advanced Academy; a graduate of the Dade Community Foundation’s Miami Fellows Initiative Class V; and a graduate Fellow of the Dr. Ted Martinez Jr. National Community College Hispanic Council (NCCHC)
Leadership Program.
Outside of the office, Dr. Acosta enjoys both the physical challenge and mental clarity
of cycling, whether indoors on her Peloton or outdoors on an e-bike.