Makena Stewart

Dr. Makena Stewart is an Assistant Professor of the Practice of Community College Leadership at North Carolina State University and a faculty scholar at the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research. Her work focuses on institutional effectiveness, organizational culture, and holistic support systems for student success in community colleges. With over 18 years of leadership experience in community colleges, she has held roles such as Vice President of Strategic Excellence at South Piedmont Community College, Dean of Student Development, and Interim Chief Academic Officer.

Her educational background includes an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, an M.S. in Data Analytics from Eastern University, an M.S.Ed. in Counseling from Old Dominion University, and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Virginia.

Stewart’s research emphasizes improving institutional effectiveness through data-driven strategies and fostering equitable pathways for students. She actively contributes to the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development and collaborates with the Belk Center to advance community college excellence.