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Amber Estlund

Dr. Amber Estlund didn’t always envision herself in administration. A traditionally trained academic, she began her journey teaching composition and literature—but her path that unfolded showed her just how impactful higher education can be outside the classroom.

“I started as a faculty member, then took on our QEP for accreditation, focusing on student readiness,” said Amber, who now serves as Associate Dean of Academic Services. “That led me into First-Time Titans, which grew into one of the most rewarding projects I’ve worked on.”

Currently based at SPC’s Seminole Campus (soon moving to Clearwater), Amber is at the heart of academic support, working closely with students and faculty on everything from complaints and appeals to course scheduling. It’s a job that shifts day to day, a far cry from the idea of routine academia.

“We’re really the academic touchpoint on campus,” she said. “And it’s been fun stepping outside of the literature world to meet faculty across disciplines and learn how everything fits together.”

Through initiatives like First-Time Titans and First to Finished – a program for first-generation students she co-founded in 2020 – Amber has helped launch and sustain efforts that directly support student success. These programs have already shown strong results, including improved student persistence and stronger faculty-student engagement.

“What’s been really cool is collaborating with faculty across the college who are so passionate and committed,” she said. “That’s been incredibly rewarding.”

Amber is also part of a national cohort to help SPC become a network leader institution for first-generation support, another step in turning grassroots ideas into lasting impact. Still, for her, it’s the students themselves who continue to inspire her every day.

“Our students are so resilient,” she said. “You hear their stories, and you can’t imagine what some of them go through. Yet they still show up and work hard. That keeps me coming back.”