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Caitlin Kerrigan Cruz, Ed.D.

Director
Headshot of Caitlin Kerrigan Cruz
ckerrigan@arizona.edu
Pronouns:
she, her, hers

I am thrilled to join the Transfer Student Support Services team focused on transfer student success – whether that is transfer advising, peer mentoring, creating a sense of belongingness for transfer students on campus, or building partnerships and transfer pathways. I have been a member of the UA community for 11 years with roles in Student Success/Think Tank, Campus Life and housing and Residential Education. I have been a student affairs professional for over 15 years and am passionate about building strong, cohesive, student-centered teams and partnerships to serve students. I also am an active member of NASPA serving in a leadership capacity at state and regional levels. 


I was born and raised in New Mexico before moving to Oregon. I attended Pacific University for my B.S. in Psychology In Forest Grove, Oregon. After graduation, I spent a year teaching English to adult learners in Ecuador while learning Spanish. Following Ecuador, I attended Oregon State University for my M.S. in College student Services Administration which cemented my passion for student affairs and higher education. I recently completed my Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Community Colleges and Higher Education at Northern Arizona. My research focused on cohort management, institutional practices, and advocacy to remove barriers for students – all while creating a student ready campus. I am passionate about student support and retention initiatives, student development theory, academic support services, and helping students in their transition in, through, and out of college.  


Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and being a mom of two little boys. In my free time, I play intramural softball, play the trumpet and french horn in my local community band, read, eat as much Sonoran food as possible, food, crochet, and travel. Please feel free to reach out or stop by T.S.S.S. at The Transfer Center in Union 402. I am ready to collaborate with the UA community as well as community college partners to promote success for prospective and newly admitted transfer students.