Campus Leadership at our
Michigan Nursing College in Southfield

Chris Chavez

Senior Campus President

M.S., Industrial Management, Northern Illinois University

B.S., Industrial Technology, Northern Illinois University

Chris Chavez joined Arizona College of Nursing Southfield, MI in 2022, bringing over 18 years of community-minded leadership in higher education.

Chavez has an extensive background in academic operations management, student support, and community and international partnerships.  Chavez has overseen the implementation of initiatives designed to enhance student experience, retention, and graduation outcomes.  Chavez is committed to helping traditionally underserved students gain access to post-secondary education.  Of special note, under his leadership, he initiated an innovative dual-enrollment, dual-credit program that allows Georgia high school students to earn a college associate degree while completing their last two years of high school, at no cost to the student or their family.

Dr. Deirdre Baker

Senior Executive Director of Enrollment Services

Doctor of Business Administration, Franklin University (2023 candidate)

M.B.A., Business Administration and Management – Argosy University

Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Organizational Communication – Michigan State University

Deirdre Baker started with Arizona College of Nursing in March of 2021. She began her career as a college recruiter and has been an admissions director for more than 11 years, always managing multiple campuses and departments simultaneously. Most recently, Baker served as admissions director at Douglas J Aveda Institute. Prior to that she was Director of Graduate Admissions at Wayne State University, which was preceded by her role as Director of High School Recruitment at the Art Institutes.

She holds a Masters degree in Business Administration and is passionate about organizational culture, change management, and performance. Baker serves as Executive Director of Enrollment Services at Arizona College of Nursing’s first Michigan campus. In this role, she enjoys the opportunities she has to ensure that prospective students can pursue a career they are passionate about.

Dr. Twanda Gillespie

Dean of Nursing

MSN, Nursing Education/ Clinical Nurse Specialist, University of Detroit Mercy

Dr. Gillespie is joining Arizona College Southfield Campus. Twanda is a Detroit Native, wife, and mother of three girls. She has worked in nursing for 18 years specializing in critical care and emergency nursing. Most recently, she has served as professor and Director of Nursing Services for Madonna University’s Accelerated BSN program. Twanda received her BSN in 2005 and MSN in 2012 from the University of Detroit Mercy. She recently completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Spring of 2023.

Kelli Van Buren

Dean of General Education

Doctor of Philosophy – PhD, Qualitative Research and Statistics, Wayne State University

Master’s Degree, Organizational Leadership – Wayne State University

Bachelor’s Degree, Secondary English Education – Kentucky State University

Kelli is a lifelong Detroiter and educator. She has been an English teacher in the Detroit Public School system as well as Edison Schools and Cornerstone Schools. She has served as Director of Enrollment and Student Services at Oakland Community College and Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing at Miller College in Battle Creek, MI. Currently, she teaches English Literature and Research Writing at Wayne County Community College and is Dean of Education at the Arizona College of Nursing. Ms. Van Buren has a passion for her community and for young people as proven by her participation on the Board of Directors for Mosaic Youth Theater of Detroit, Matrix Human Services, and the Chandler Park Academy.

Sarah Knight

Academic Records Manager

B.A., Bachelor of Arts in English, Minor in Psychology, MSU

M.S., University of Phoenix in Mental Health Counseling

Greetings!  My name is Sarah Knight and I serve as Academic Records Manager for the Southfield Campus.  I come to Arizona College with more than 17 years of experience in higher education including roles in admissions, financial and academic advising as well as leadership roles in student and career services.  I am a proud alumna of Michigan State University where I earned my bachelor’s degree. I also hold a master’s degree from the University of Phoenix.

I consider myself to be a strategic minded, data-driven individual who has a passion for serving as a resource for colleagues and students.  I am solutions-oriented and consistently strive to find ways to align campus and organizational goals to meet the needs of our students.  I have a particular passion and interest in retention and enjoy finding creative solutions to help students overcome challenges and barriers.  My goal is to help make the Southfield campus the premier destination for those wishing to fulfill their dreams of becoming a nurse.