Felicia, a passionate and charismatic leader, hails from Los Angeles, California. With a wealth of experience spanning over 25 years in higher education, Felicia holds a B.A. and M.A. from Norfolk State University, a J.D. from the University of Illinois Chicago, and a Ph.D. in Community Resources and Development from Arizona State University.
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Currently, Felicia serves as the Presidential Fellow for the League for Innovation in the Community College, and recently as the President of Bucks County Community College. Her leadership is driven by a deep commitment to student success, believing she might be the first, last, or only person who can make a difference in a student's journey. Felicia is known for her student-anchored focus and servant leadership, which shines through her dedication to building relationships, listening, and being emotionally present for others.
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Throughout her career, Felicia has developed numerous programs to support underserved students and has worked tirelessly to enhance educational outcomes in both K-12 and higher education settings. Her work has been recognized nationally, including being named a Presidential Fellow with the Aspen Institute and serving on several prestigious boards and committees.
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Felicia’s work is not just about education—it's about changing lives, one student at a time.
As the President of Bucks County Community College, Felicia made significant strides in enhancing the institution’s reach and impact. Under her leadership, Bucks underwent a successful reaccreditation process and established a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Board to strengthen relationships with communities of color. Felicia also managed to close a $7.5 million budget deficit without any layoffs, demonstrating her commitment to the stability of the institution as well as her commitment to her staff. Her tenure at Bucks is marked by a record-breaking number of grants and donations, reflecting her effectiveness in fundraising and community engagement.
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Before joining Bucks, Felicia was the Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Student Affairs Officer for the Maricopa County Community College District in Arizona. In this role, she developed and scaled various initiatives aimed at supporting at-risk student populations. These programs, including a minority male and female success initiative, a foster youth support program, a basic needs and food insecurity project, and a veterans’ outreach program, have received national recognition for their success in improving student outcomes. Additionally, she led the implementation of Maricopa’s new system-wide brand, website realignment, and enrollment process, creating a more seamless experience for students across multiple colleges.
Felicia's commitment to education extends beyond her administrative roles. She has served as an adjunct instructor for courses in Speech, Interpersonal/Group Communication, and Higher Education Law at Northern Arizona University, Weber State University, College of Lake County, and Maricopa. Her teaching experience, combined with her leadership roles, highlights her comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities within higher education.
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Nationally recognized for her leadership, Felicia was a fellow with the Aspen Institute in both 2017 and 2023, focusing on emerging issues in community college leadership. She also serves on the American Association for Community Colleges (AACC) Presidents Academy Executive Committee, contributing to the professional development of community college presidents across the country. Locally, Felicia is actively involved in her community as a board member for organizations such as the Washington Crossing Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Daily Herald, the Bucks County Foundation, and the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce Chairman’s Circle.
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Felicia has a proven track record of collaborating with state agencies and elected officials to improve educational outcomes for students at all levels. In Illinois, she was recognized with a State Senate Proclamation for her efforts in developing retention strategies for first-year college students. In Arizona, she worked closely with the Governor’s office and the Secretary of Education on initiatives supporting foster youth, veterans’ educational programs, and the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
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Felicia Ganther is more than an administrator; she is a servant leader committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of students and their communities. This student-centered approach guides how she engages, communicates, and leads, always with an eye toward creating opportunities and pathways for all students to succeed.