MiraCosta College announces that it has hired five new administrators who will serve in leadership roles for the college. Dr. Ailene Cua Crakes will serve as Dean of Counseling and Student Development; Dr. Bridget Files-Herrin will serve as Dean of Admissions and Student Support; Cornel Ruston will serve as Director of Security and Infrastructure Systems; Jenn Acfalle will serve as Director of Human Resources; and Colleen Maeder will serve as Director of Student Services at the MiraCosta College San Elijo Campus.
“MiraCosta College is thrilled to welcome these five dynamic, enthusiastic, and talented folks to our team,” explains MiraCosta College Superintendent/President Dr. Sunita “Sunny” Cooke. “All five newly hired leaders bring diverse experiences and expertise to their roles, and their commitment to excellence will allow us to deepen our impact in the region while continuing to provide the best resources and opportunities to students and our broader community.”
Dr. Ailene Cua Crakes joins MiraCosta College as the Dean of Counseling and Student Development. A proud immigrant and steadfast advocate for the transformative power of education, Dr. Cua Crakes has dedicated her career to uplifting current and future generations of students. Prior to working at MiraCosta College, Dr. Cua Crakes served as Dean of Student Development in both acting and permanent capacities at San Diego Mesa College. In her role, Dr. Cua Crakes will facilitate strategic planning and development of equity-minded services for the MiraCosta College departments, ensuring that the school delivers high-quality educational opportunities and services to its students.
Dr. Bridget Files-Herrin has been hired as the new Dean of Admissions and Student Support at MiraCosta College after serving in the interim leadership role since 2022. Before joining MiraCosta College’s administration, Dr. Files-Herrin served on the San Diego Mesa College leadership team as the Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and Associate Dean for Research and Planning. With deep roots in higher education, Dr. Files-Herrin brings a 15-year research and administration experience record at community colleges and four-year institutions. As Dean of Admissions and Student Support, Dr. Files-Herrin will oversee the collaboration and operations of multiple departments, ensure continued compliance with all mandates, and foster an ongoing commitment and accountability to anti-racism and equity-mindedness in all policies and practices.
Colleen Maeder will serve as the incoming Director of Student Services at the MiraCosta College San Elijo Campus. Before her leadership role at MiraCosta College, Maeder worked as the Associate Director for Student Well-Being at Santa Clara University, as well as the Associate Director for Student Conduct and Restorative Programs at New York University. Maeder brings more than 16 years of experience specializing in student well-being and behavioral interventions, crisis management, basic needs, student conduct, and Title IX.
Cornel Ruston joins the leadership team as the Director of Security and Infrastructure Systems at MiraCosta College. With over 25 years of Information Technology experience, focusing on cyber risk management, compliance, and more, Ruston brings a wealth of experience to the MiraCosta College leadership team. In his role, Ruston will manage the security and infrastructure team; provide strategic leadership and guidance for the architecture, development, implementation, integration, maintenance, and enhancement of the district’s information security and infrastructure systems; and oversee all data center system administration activities, among other responsibilities.
As Director of Human Resources at MiraCosta College,
Jenn Acfalle will support the human resources functions of the institution while fostering a positive and inclusive environment for the community. Acfalle brings over 26 years of human resources management experience in higher education, government, and private sectors. Before her role at MiraCosta College, Acfalle served as Human Resources Manager for the City of Oceanside, as well as the Assistant Human Resources Director for San Diego State University.
