Her Story
About Kisha
Kisha Chandler, MS, MBA, CAPM, is a dedicated higher education leader with over 20 years of experience in student success, retention, and recruitment. She currently serves as the Director of the LSAMP Program and the Center for Multicultural and Intercultural Affairs at Molloy University, where she develops programs and initiatives that support STEM students, foster intercultural dialogue, and promote inclusive learning environments. Kisha’s work emphasizes mentoring, scholarships, research experiences, and campus events designed to help students thrive academically and personally.
Kisha began her professional journey in corporate roles before transitioning to higher education two decades ago, seeking a better work-life balance and the opportunity to be closer to her family. She started as an administrative assistant at Molloy University and progressively advanced into leadership roles, leveraging her passion for education and advocacy. Her personal experience as a Latina instilled a deep commitment to supporting Latino students, women, and other minoritized populations, ensuring that higher education becomes a transformative and empowering pathway for all.
Her academic accomplishments include a Master’s in Education from Molloy University, a Master’s in Business Administration, and ongoing doctoral research examining how Latino students make college decisions to inform higher-education policy. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Kisha actively serves as President of 100 Hispanic Women Long Island, Executive Vice President of Pro Hispanica New York, and participates in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives through organizations such as the IMA. Her leadership is guided by service, lifelong learning, and community engagement, reflecting a lifelong dedication to helping students, colleagues, and communities grow.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kisha
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my mom and her side of the family. They really pushed education and most of the people in my family, in my mother's side of the family were women. My success comes from the advice they gave me and the strength that they showed in everything that they did. My mom really encouraged me to learn and to go out there and do anything. She constantly said, you know, girls could do anything and anything boys could do but better. My dad too, but she really was the one who encouraged me and gave me that foundation of believing I could accomplish anything.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received came from my current boss, who really encourages me to grow. Professional growth and being comfortable with the uncomfortable is something that I truly value, because when you get uncomfortable, you experience different things that you wouldn't otherwise. Sometimes those things are good, and sometimes those things are bad, but regardless, you grow. That advice about embracing discomfort and pushing myself beyond my comfort zone has been invaluable in my professional development.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say take risks and don't be afraid to ask for help. Don't be afraid to try different things or go out of the scope of the things you think you like. If I didn't take some of the opportunities, including the one to work here at Molloy, I wouldn't be where I'm at now. Put yourself out there and don't be afraid to speak to people. I went to the professors and the department heads with my ideas and initiatives, and that's what opened doors for me. Taking initiative and being willing to step outside your comfort zone is essential.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think the biggest challenge right now is with the current administration not being able to use those words, DEI, or showcase some of the work that we're doing because it could get us in trouble or it could get me in trouble. The challenge is doing this work underground. But there's a lot of opportunity too, because we need to shift some of the language. I think that people truly value DEI work, so there's a lot of different opportunities in just being creative with the current work that we're doing. We have to find new ways to continue this important work while navigating the current political climate.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Serving the community is really, really important to me. Education is very valuable - I'm a lifelong learner and I love learning. Spirituality is also very important. I embody the core mission of Molloy, and Molloy embodies what I believe in: education, study, spirituality, and community. These values guide everything I do, both professionally and personally. I believe that when we support each other through service and education, communities grow and become better.
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