Dr. Dresdner joined the Naugatuck staff in 2015 as the Associate Dean of Liberal Arts/Behavioral and Social Sciences. In 2018 she was selected to serve as the Dean of Academic Affairs.  Before joining the team at NVCC, Dr. Dresdner was a professor of English at Norwalk Community College (NCC). During her tenure at NCC she took a faculty leave to oversee major grant activities and professional development as the college’s Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning. She also served as Chair of the English Department and Writing Coordinator and co-founded and obtained a three-year operational grant to create the Fairfield County Women’s Center at the college, serving as its Director from 2004-2005.   She has also served on the governing body at Norwalk, on multiple search committees at Naugatuck Valley and served as a visiting team member for the New England Commission of Higher Education. Dr. Dresdner is a member of the United Way of Greater Waterbury’s Board of Directors and serves on the Governing Council. In the community she also serves as Treasurer of the Arts and Collaborative, Waterbury Region.

Naugatuck Valley Community College President Daisy Cocco De Filippis noted, “I am delighted that Dr. Lisa Dresdner has been named the Interim CEO of NVCC to lead the college. I am confident that she will guide NVCC through the pandemic reopening, the upcoming NECHE accreditation process and other significant initiatives. Dr. Dresdner has demonstrated her commitment to our students and proven her leadership with faculty and her understanding of college governance.” President De Filippis further noted that, “Her more than two decades of experience as a college educator and student champion at NVCC and at Norwalk Community College will serve our programs and services well. I offer my most enthusiastic congratulations to Dr. Dresdner and the NVCC family!”

Commenting on her appointment, Dr. Dresdner expressed gratitude and confidence. “I’m honored that CSCU President Ojakian and North-West Regional President James Lombella have the confidence in me to serve as NVCC’s Interim CEO, and grateful that NVCC President De Filippis has laid such a strong foundation during her twelve-year tenure for us to continue toward our shared goals of equity, access, and achievement. Many challenges face us in the coming year, but I know that with the collective strength, creativity, and dedication of NVCC’s faculty and staff, we will consistently move toward a future that keeps our students at the heart of our actions.”

Dr. Dresdner reflected on her start and NVCC and how her experience since 2015 gives strength and perspective. “When I began at Naugatuck Valley Community College five years ago, I was struck by the strength of faculty and staff’s shared commitment toward student success. That focus has never wavered, and, in fact, it has grown stronger in the face of this pandemic. I look forward to leading NVCC through this transitional time and to continue building our connections with our service community. I am fortunate to work with faculty and staff who have the courage to stand behind our values, to challenge our biases to make room for new perspectives, and to commit to embracing dialogue and conflict in a solution-oriented perspective.”

Ronald Picard, Ph.D., Professor of English and Faculty Senate President, shared the support of NVCC faculty. "On behalf of the NVCC Faculty Senate, I wish Lisa success as she leads the college through these challenging times focused on our mission to help students change their lives and achieve their dreams."

Harry Burt, Professor of Mathematics commented enthusiastically on Dean Dresdner’s appointment. "I have worked with Dr. Dresdner on a number of projects and served on several committees with her over the past five years. She is a creative, intelligent, competent, and highly organized executive who will be able to lead NVCC through the tough challenges facing it in the near future.  In my opinion, President Ojakian could not have picked a better person for this role."

Hailey Moran, President of NVCC’s Student Government Association, commented on the announcement of Dr. Dresdner as CEO. I recognize Dr. Lisa Dresdner as a woman who has already made an impact on NVCC. I look forward to what she brings to the college this upcoming semester as Interim CEO, and I look forward to having the opportunity to work with her. I have to say that with all of the changes we are experiencing, our campus has such a strong incoming foundation for success this semester, I can’t wait to start the fall semester 2020!