Campus Leadership at our
Nursing College in Tempe

Maria E. Dezenberg, PhD

Campus President

PhD in Leadership and Change, Antioch University

MA in Leadership and Change, Antioch University

EdS in Education Leadership and Administration, University of Alabama at Birmingha

MA in International Relations, University of San Diego

BA in International Relations, Eastern Washington University

Maria has more than two decades of executive-level experience in education leadership, academic operations, and higher education instruction. Before joining Arizona College of Nursing, she served as Vice President of Operations for National Technical Institute. Previously, she held roles as Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Assistant Provost, Campus President, and Campus Dean. She embraces a people-centric style that encourages a school environment that is dedicated to student success.

Maria is a published author and thought leader on inclusive leadership and has presented at international conferences. She enjoys lending her talents to local community organizations in her free time. Outside of education and leadership, Maria’s passion is learning about different cultures and international travel.

Heidi Fuchser

Senior Executive Director of Enrollment Services

Bachelor of Arts, Briar Cliff University

Master of Science, Barry University

Master of Business Administration, University of Phoenix

A former high school teacher, Heidi spent the past eight years in higher education starting as an Enrollment Specialist in 2012. Working her way through the ranks, she most recently served as Vice President of Enrollment Services focusing her efforts on traditional undergraduate and transfer student enrollment and operations.  In her current role as Senior Executive Director of Enrollment Services at the flagship Tempe campus, Heidi manages a team of admissions and financial aid advisors focusing on quality student experiences and maintaining a positive campus culture.

Originally from Nebraska, Heidi spends most of her time with her two sons, Saxx and Sevin, and is an avid college football fan – Go Huskers!!!. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Briar Cliff University and has since completed two master’s degrees.

Tara Canfield-Weber

Dean of General Education

Doctor of Education – EdD, Higher Education Leadership, Baker University

Master of Arts – MA, Organizational Communications, Wichita State University

Bachelor of Arts – BA, Mass Communication/Media Studies, Friends University

Tara Canfield-Weber has spent the previous 25 years in higher education. Her experience includes teaching business and public speaking courses, leading faculty in instruction and curriculum development, and for the past seven years, serving as Associate Dean of General Education, Dean of General Education, and lastly, Dean of Learning Services at WSU Tech in Wichita, KS. Her areas of expertise include faculty development, dual credit enrollment and partnerships, and mentoring initiatives for students in academic jeopardy.

Over the past few years, her priority has been to develop and implement initiatives for historically marginalized groups including first-generation, low-income, minority, and adult learners. Her teaching philosophy is that every student deserves to have equal opportunity in higher education, and a nurturing, collaborative environment that is built on respect and grace.

Shannon Olson, MSN, RN

Dean of Nursing

MSN, Emphasis in Nursing Education, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ

BSN, St. Catherine University, St. Paul, MN

Prior to becoming Dean of Nursing at Arizona College in 2022, Shannon was an Adjunct Clinical Faculty and Core Nursing Faculty member at the Tempe Campus, teaching Maternal, Pediatric, and Community Health courses since 2016. Shannon worked as an RN Neonatal ICU nurse at Dignity Health and Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Arizona. Prior to moving to Arizona, Shannon worked in her home state of Minnesota as an RN in a Level II Special Care Nursery, as an RN Neonatal ICU nurse in North Dakota, and as an RN Surgical Nurse for Mayo clinic.

As Dean of Nursing, Shannon manages the operations and support of the Core Nursing students and faculty.