Sandra Snyder-Mondragon, PhD, is a higher education leader with 29 years of experience spanning K–12 and higher education, including more than two decades advancing post-secondary education, student success, and strategic enrollment management. She currently serves as Assistant Dean for Student Success and Enrollment Management in CU Denver’s School of Education and Human Development (SEHD), where her work spans academic program development, enrollment strategy, student success, scholarships, budgeting, assessment, accreditation, and organizational leadership.

Sandra holds a PhD in Higher Education Administration and a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and Adult Studies from the University of Denver, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Education (BAEd), summa cum laude, from Arizona State University West. Her doctoral research examined institutional factors affecting the retention of graduate students of color, reflecting a longstanding commitment to creating equitable access, inclusive learning environments, and pathways to student success.

Before beginning her career in higher education, Sandra was an elementary educator. She taught kindergarten and Title I mathematics in the Douglas County School District in Castle Rock, Colorado, and taught Title I reading and fourth grade in the Washington Elementary School District in Phoenix, Arizona. Her early experience as a classroom teacher continues to inform her student-centered approach to educational leadership and her understanding of education across the student lifecycle.

Throughout her career, Sandra has worked collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and university leaders to strengthen academic programs and translate institutional priorities into effective practices. Her leadership is grounded in data-informed decision-making, shared governance, and a deep understanding of the student lifecycle—from recruitment and enrollment through persistence, graduation, and career transition. At SEHD, she leads and supports strategic enrollment efforts, analyzes program and course enrollment trends, develops student success strategies, and works with academic leaders to align enrollment goals with program capacity and institutional priorities.

Sandra also brings extensive experience in program development, assessment, accreditation, budgeting, and operational leadership. Earlier in her career at the University of Denver, she held progressively responsible roles supporting multiple graduate programs and served on the accreditation team for the ALA – accredited Library and Information Science program, becoming the first new program to gain accreditation in 28 years.

Across her work, Sandra is particularly committed to building the administrative structures that enable faculty ideas and academic programs to thrive. She approaches leadership as both strategic and collaborative—bringing together people, data, resources, and processes to expand educational opportunity and support students. She is energized by change, innovation, and the opportunity to help institutions translate ambitious goals into meaningful outcomes for students and the communities they serve.