Her Story
About Vasiliki
Dr. Vasiliki Arca is the Associate Dean of Educational Partnerships at Dallas College, where she plays a key role in expanding access to higher education and supporting student success at scale. Serving one of the largest community college systems in the country, she collaborates with school districts, campus leadership, and internal teams to create and strengthen dual credit pathways for more than 31,000 students. With a background spanning administration and teaching, Dr. Arca brings both strategic insight and a deep commitment to building opportunities that empower students to thrive.
Prior to her current role, Dr. Arca served as Dual Credit Director at Ranger College, where she led initiatives to grow educational partnerships and improve college readiness across communities. She also spent several years as an adjunct mathematics professor at Tarleton State University, equipping students with critical academic skills while fostering confidence in the classroom. Across each role, she has remained focused on creating inclusive, supportive environments that help students navigate their educational journeys and achieve meaningful outcomes.
Dr. Arca’s path into education is rooted in personal experience and purpose. Having spent much of her early life in Greece before moving to the United States, she faced challenges with language and belonging that shaped her passion for student advocacy. A pivotal moment of encouragement during her own college experience inspired her to become a source of support for others, particularly those who feel unseen or underserved. She recently earned her Doctor of Education from Kansas State University, with research focused on the experiences of Hispanic and Latinx women leaders in community colleges. Today, she continues to lead with empathy and intention, dedicated to helping students recognize their potential and find their place in higher education.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Vasiliki
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say authenticity is what I attribute my success to. I am who I am. One thing I want to continue having is being who I am. I don't want to change because I want to be liked, or because I want to fit in, or because I need to be a certain persona. I am who I am, and I want you to trust the real person behind it. I want to spend more energy leading, and caring, and working, versus trying to put more energy in hiding my real person. I feel like people tend to trust a leader that shows their true colors versus putting a mask on in the morning. Perseverance would be the next one, but I think empathy is a closer second. You have to care for your team and how you treat them. To me, it's super important. The way you treat people, they will treat you right back, in good and bad times. You can't lead the world by yourself.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that time will move forward no matter what—we don’t get to control that part. What we do get to control is what we choose to do with it.
That advice has stayed with me because it reminds me not to wait for the “perfect” time to grow, take a chance, go back to school, apply for the role, or step into a new opportunity. The years will pass either way, so I try to be intentional about using my time to build the life, career, and impact I want.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You belong. Anywhere you go, you belong. Stand your ground. Make your voice heard. Don't be afraid to stand on what you believe, to represent yourself and your team, whatever that is. Don't think that your opinion does not matter because of where you come from, or how little you may be in education or in the role. I think it's important, because sometimes we have that imposter syndrome, where we think, oh, maybe I shouldn't say it. No, please do. Stand by it, say it, just don't be afraid, don't let the room close on you. You gotta pick your battles, that's certainly number one. You have to step back and recalibrate. You have to decide whether this is a battle you have to pick, whether it's worth the sacrifice you're going to make. Is this something we need to sacrifice, or is this something we can approach differently? Is there a win-win situation we can find for both of us? Or is this something we can let them have and maybe later leverage? Emotional intelligence is key in this role, but exhausting.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in higher education right now is meeting students where they are while helping them see what is possible.
Many students are balancing school, work, family responsibilities, financial barriers, and uncertainty about their future. In dual credit, ECHS, and P-TECH work, we have the opportunity to support students earlier, help them build confidence, and create clearer pathways to college completion and career success.
The challenge is making sure our systems, communication, and support structures keep up with student needs. The opportunity is that, when we get it right, we are not just helping students earn college credit; we are helping them believe they belong in college and that completion is within reach.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are family, integrity, growth, service, and resilience.
Family comes first because they are my foundation, my motivation, and the reason I keep pushing forward. Integrity matters because I want people to trust that I will lead with honesty and do what I say I will do. Growth is important because I believe we should always be learning and becoming better. Service is at the heart of my work because I want to make a meaningful difference for students, families, and communities. And resilience reminds me that challenges can shape us, but they do not have to define us.
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