Dara Hagen has served as the Vice President of Student Affairs at Normandale Community College since 2017. She oversees departments, programs and initiatives within the Student Affairs division supporting students through the life cycle from prospective students through graduation and transfer, supports strategic enrollment management and serves on the President's Cabinet.

Dara has worked in the Minnesota State system for 23 years. Prior to Normandale, she served as the Dean of Students, Interim Provost and Academic Dean at Hennepin Technical College, and in various Student Affairs roles at Century College. She is a past president of the Minnesota College Personnel Association, recipient of the MCPA Lud Spoylar Distinguished Service Award, and graduate of the Luoma Leadership Academy and the AACC John E. Rousche Future Leaders Institute.

Dara is a first-generation college graduate with an M.A. in Educational Leadership, a B.A. in Elementary Education and Psychology from the University of St. Thomas, and is currently working on her Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration at St. Cloud State University.