Mirasol Española

Dr. Mirasol Española joined The George Washington University School of Business (GWSB) in May 2013 as the Executive Director of Undergraduate Programs. In this role, she works alongside the Vice Dean of Undergraduate Programs to lead a talented team of professionals who oversee academic advising, co-curricular learning initiatives, and the Business Leader Development (BLD) Program. She represents GWSB Undergraduate Programs on school and university-wide committees and teaches in the BLD Program.

With more than 20 years of academic advising, teaching, and leadership experience in higher education, Dr. Española has worked with students from more than 100 countries and all 50 states. As a first-generation college graduate, she understands firsthand the power of taking ownership of one's education, inside and outside the classroom, and brings that perspective to her work with students every day. She began her career in academic advising at Wayland Baptist University-Hawaiʻi Center, supporting military students and adult learners. In 1996, she joined Hawaiʻi Pacific University (HPU), the largest private university in Hawaiʻi, where she ultimately advanced to serve as Dean of Academic Advising and taught Introduction to Psychology as an adjunct faculty member for HPU's Military Campus Programs online. Prior to joining GWSB, she served as Dean of Academic Advising at Revelle College, University of California San Diego, for more than seven years.

Dr. Española earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Hawaiʻi at West Oʻahu and a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University of Honolulu. She holds graduate certificates in the Management of College Student Services and Community College Leadership, and earned her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from the University of Southern California. Her dissertation focused on the academic preparation, involvement, and retention of first-generation college students, research that continues to shape her commitment to student success at GWSB today.