Victoria Castro-Corral

Student Services Supervisor for Early College, Chandler-Gilbert Community College

Victoria Castro-Corral is from Phoenix, Arizona, and serves as the Student Services Supervisor for Early College at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. She earned an Associate in Arts from Phoenix College, a Bachelor of Science in Nonprofit Leadership and Management, and a Master of Arts in Social Justice and Human Rights, both from Arizona State University. Her research interests center on family and community engagement, with a particular focus on how school boards and educational leaders involve parents and families in decision-making. Her experience as a governing board member has further inspired her to explore strategies for improving outcomes for K–8 students and strengthening school-community relationships. Victoria chose the University of Kentucky for its well-structured doctoral program, which includes coursework in leadership, research design, and methods. As a working professional, she sought a real-time online format that fosters meaningful interaction without sacrificing flexibility. The program's inclusion of live discussions, engaging faculty, and "Doc Week"—an in-person experience focused on community-building and dissertation preparation—solidified her decision. She also felt deeply supported by Dr. Rous even before applying. In her free time, Victoria enjoys learning new skills such as sewing, pottery, and tax preparation, and loves discovering local hidden gems and “hole-in-the-wall” spots. A lifelong learner, she began earning college credits in the sixth grade and has even gone skydiving in Australia.