Since 2009, Alexander Lewis served with the City of Cottonwood Fire Department, advancing through various roles, from Volunteer Firefighter to full-time Firefighter, Engineer, and now Fire Captain/Paramedic. He attended and secured his associates degree in Paramedicine and completed the Fire Academy at Yavapai College in 2013.
Lewis has worked at Yavapai College since 2018, where he’s taken on leadership positions including part-time EMS Clinical Coordinator and Lab Technician, full-time Associate Professor of EMS, Director of EMS, Associate Dean of Public Services, Interim Associate Dean of the Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC), and, most recently, Interim Dean of the since January 2026.
“Throughout my career, I’ve developed expertise in both municipal public safety and higher education leadership,” Lewis said. “This dual experience allows me to bring a public-service perspective to my work at the College and a systems-focused leadership approach to my role in the fire service. The ongoing support from both the City of Cottonwood and Yavapai College has fostered a strong partnership, enabling me to serve the community effectively in both capacities and contribute positively to the success of the broader community.”
Lewis began his tenure at Yavapai College in 2018 as a part-time Clinical Coordinator and Lab Technician within the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department. He was primary responsible for overseeing the Clinical and Field Experience rotations for the Paramedic and EMT programs, ensuring compliance with accreditation, programmatic, and national standards.
When the opportunity arose to transition to the role of Associate Professor of EMS, Lewis accepted, enabling him to leverage the knowledge, skills, and competencies he’d gained in the fire service.
“As an Associate Professor of EMS, I had the privilege of shaping the paramedic program's curriculum and instructional practices, contributing significantly to student success,” Lewis said. “I take great pride in the impact of my contributions, which notably enhanced the program and effectively prepared students for careers in the Paramedic profession. Subsequently, when a leadership opportunity presented itself, I embraced the challenge, particularly regarding the reaccreditation process.”
He successfully led a dedicated team through this process, culminating in the Paramedic Program's reaccreditation in January 2026. The program now thrives under new leadership and is well-positioned for continued success.
Additionally, he’s served as the Associate Dean of Public Services for the past year and has also held the Interim Associate Dean position at the Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) since September 2025. In his current role as Interim Dean of CTEC, he remains focused on sustaining the positive trajectory established at CTEC and within the Verde Skills Trades Teams before he assumed this leadership role.
Lewis said that the biggest challenge in his roles at Yavapai College was managing the paramedic program's reaccreditation, which had significant implications for students and the community. This involved detailed coordination among partners, ensuring that all program aspects met external standards while also addressing the everyday needs of students and faculty.
Ultimately, this challenge became his greatest success so far. Lewis said that achieving reaccreditation secured vital pathways for student advancement, upheld the program's credibility, and affirmed Yavapai College’s commitment to high-quality, industry-aligned education.
“My role contributes to the College's mission by strengthening technical education pathways that directly improve student achievement and foster regional economic development,” Lewis said. “By leading with a servant-oriented approach and managing the operational responsibilities essential for the smooth functioning of our programs, I play a crucial role in ensuring that CTEC provides high-impact, career-ready educational experiences. This, in turn, supports the mission of Yavapai College, its student body, and the communities we serve.”
Yavapai College operates seven campuses and centers throughout Yavapai County and offers over 100 degrees and certificates, four baccalaureate degrees, student and community services, and cultural events and activities. To learn more about Yavapai College, visit www.yc.edu.
