The Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation Board of Directors ratified the selection of Dr. Eric Heiser, president of Coconino Community College to a three-year term, joining directors Dr. Shaharyar Ashraf, Dr. Laila Hishaw, Dr. Melanie Hull, Monica Villalobos, Julia Wacloff, Jessica Yanow, and Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation president and chair Michael Jones.

“Within the northern Arizona community, I have seen the impactful work that the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation is doing firsthand, including providing grants for such programs as the Coconino County Cooperative Extension ‘Tiny Teeth, Big Smiles’ program, North Country Healthcare, the Northern Arizona Council of Government’s Head Start Program, and Verde Valley Medical Center,” said Dr. Heiser. “I want to help Delta Dental continue to advance its mission to create a path to better health and wellness across northern Arizona and beyond.”

Dr. Heiser joined Coconino Community College in 2022 and prior served as the inaugural provost of Central Ohio Technical College (COTC). He also worked as a full-time assistant professor at Central Wyoming College and served as associate dean at Salt Lake Community College, where he built one of the nation’s largest competency-based education programs. Dr. Heiser serves as chairman of the board of directors for the Competency-Based Education (CBE) Network, an international network of institutions and organizations dedicated to improving graduation rates and eliminating equity gaps through quality CBE programs. In addition to his work in CBE, Dr. Heiser serves as president of the board for the National Council of Instructional Administrators, an affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges. In 2020, he was appointed for a three-year term on AACC’s Commission on Workforce and Economic Development. He holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Colorado State University.

"I am pleased to welcome Eric to our board. I know he will lend valuable insights into the community’s needs. I look forward to his contributions to creating a path to better health and wellness for Arizonans,” said Michael Jones.

In 2024, the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation awarded grants to 39 non-profit organizations that work with underserved populations of all ages through oral health and nutritional programs. A total of $793,149 funds were awarded to support projects and services promoting good oral health practices and increasing access to dental care among underserved children, pregnant women, seniors and adults, as well as nutritional access programs such as food banks, after-school and weekend food programs for children, and senior delivery programs.

“The Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation also partners with organizations throughout Northern Arizona to improve lives by promoting optimal oral health. For example, we partner with NAU on its Beaver Creek Smiles Program,” said Kozuh, Executive Director of Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation. “This program transports nearly 250 children from Title 1 Beaver Creek School to the NAU School of Dental Hygiene to receive comprehensive dental care, including exams, cleanings, X-rays, fluoride varnish treatments, resin sealants and referrals.”

In addition, according to Kozuh, Delta Dental partners with NAU Dental Hygiene College to hold the annual Kiddie Clinic, where each year nearly 100 children receive preventive treatments for only $25.

“The Foundation also recently announced a ground-breaking partnership with The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix and Delta Dental to create the Oral Health In Medicine Initiative,” said Kozuh. “The partnership – made through a $850,000 investment by the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation – will increase oral health education for all medical students at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix and is expected to launch in the 2024-2025 academic year, which commences in July.”

About Delta Dental of Arizona
Delta Dental of Arizona (Delta Dental) is a health and wellness company providing affordable dental and vision benefits to individuals, families and businesses throughout the state. Building on its reputation as the state’s largest and most experienced dental insurance provider, Delta Dental’s mission is to create a path to better health and wellness. Since 2010, Delta Dental of Arizona, through its Foundation, has given over $18 million to support oral health education, disease prevention and food assistance programs for underserved and uninsured communities across the state. For more information about Delta Dental of Arizona, visit http://www.deltadentalaz.com.