Lisa Zapata

Bio

Lisa Painter Zapata serves as interim vice chancellor and dean of NC State’s Division of Academic and Student Affairs (DASA). In her permanent role, she is senior associate vice chancellor for the division, and she previously served as acting vice chancellor and dean during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her leadership is informed by her professional background in counseling and her belief that effective administrators must listen carefully, build strong partnerships and ensure that students feel heard and supported. 

Zapata began at NC State in 1998, holding progressively responsible leadership positions within the former Division of Student Affairs and the Division of Academic and Student Affairs. Throughout her career, she has helped establish and strengthen programs supporting student success, including DASA Technology Services, the DASA Office of Assessment, Military and Veteran Services and Prevention Services. She also led major organizational, facility and resource-development initiatives across areas including counseling, health, wellness, career development, recreation, ROTC and student support services.

One of Zapata’s primary areas of focus has been expanding NC State’s capacity to support student mental health and well-being. She co-chaired the university’s Student Mental Health Task Force, which examined existing services, national research and institutional policies before developing recommendations for comprehensive, campuswide action. The resulting work contributed to expanded counseling and prevention resources, new virtual and population-level services, mandatory well-being education for incoming students and improved access to mental health information and support. She also helped establish a university-wide approach to wellness, supported the integration of counseling, health and recreation services, and led the growth of facilities and programs promoting students’ physical, emotional and social well-being. 

In her current interim role, Zapata is focused on providing steady, supportive guidance so DASA’s faculty and staff can continue doing what they do best – serving NC State students. 

Zapata earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master’s degree in counseling and doctorate in educational research and policy analysis from NC State. She is a licensed clinical mental health counselor.