Victoria is the fifth president of the United World College-USA in Montezuma, N.M. UWC-USA is one of 18 schools in a global movement that makes education a force for peace and a sustainable future. The only UWC campus in the United States, the school has 220 students from 94 countries.
Since becoming a first-generation college graduate, Victoria has pursued her passion for education as a professor and administrator in higher education. Her move to UWC-USA marks her conviction that secondary education holds the greatest hope for students to develop the courage and commitment to use their education for the common good. She is actively looking for the next generation of change-makers in the world.
In January 2019, Victoria began serving on the 60-member UWC International Council, which provides strategic counsel to the UWC International Board. The UWC Council meets annually, elects the UWC International Board and discusses issues of strategic, developmental, and philosophical significance. In 2020 she began a term on the UWC International Board.
Victoria graduated (magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa) with a degree in English and philosophy from UNM in 1985 and completed her Ph.D. with distinction in philosophy from Yale in 1992.
She worked as a tutor (faculty member) at St. John’s College in Santa Fe from 1992 until she became the dean of the college in 2006. As chief academic officer, she was responsible for the entire academic program, coordinated accreditation efforts, launched the St. John’s Summer Academy for high-school students, and increased student domestic diversity by 200 percent. In 2011, Victoria assumed the role of vice president for advancement and ultimately senior vice president for development and alumni relations. Under her leadership of the advancement and development offices, St. John’s College saw a 15 percent increase in alumni participation. Victoria conceived, managed, and implemented the campaign in support of the 50th anniversary of the St John’s College Santa Fe campus. The goal was $25 million; the total funds raised were over $32 million.
Within twelve months of her arrival at UWC-USA, she was instrumental in securing a $10M gift from the Davis family to support the future of UWC-USA. She has overseen two accreditations (IB and ISAS) while also completing a strategic plan with a focus on funding and programming excellence as UWC-USA approaches its 50th anniversary. Victoria has been an advocate for increasing engagement with the local community of Las Vegas and San Miguel County in New Mexico including programs and community service with local schools.
Victoria serves on the board of Creative Santa Fe, an organization dedicated to employing collaboration and the power of the arts to drive positive change. She also serves on the board of the Simon Charitable Foundation (Santa Fe) which is dedicated to helping youth achieve higher education degrees as a means to live rich and rewarding lives.
