Get to Know HFC: Dina Fonseca is inspired by student success

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A headshot of Dina Fonseca

Working at the College has allowed HFC Payroll Manager Dina Fonseca the opportunity to work in higher education.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to work in higher education and the knowledge I have gained at HFC. I continue to learn something new every day,” said Fonseca. “When I was hired, working at HFC was a professional challenge because I had never worked in higher ed before. Then the student success stories shared at the State of College meetings and other forums made a meaningful impact on me and shifted my career purpose. The stories students shared of the positive impact HFC had on them academically, personally, and their home lives were very inspiring and impactful. The ability to pursue my career passion in payroll while working for a college with a purpose of student success is a uniquely fulfilling opportunity.”

Certifications are just the start

Born in Detroit, Fonseca is the third of five children. She lives in Garden City and has two adult children.

Fonseca is an alumna of Riverside High School in Dearborn Heights. After graduation, she earned her associate degree in general studies from what is now Schoolcraft College. Transferring to the University of Phoenix, she earned her bachelor’s degree in business management. Fonseca is also a Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) and a Certified Plan Sponsor Professional (CPSP).

A 15-year veteran of the finance field, Fonseca has worked at HFC since 2017. Before coming to HFC, she worked at the City of Dearborn. She supervises two employees and reports to HFC Director of Financial Accounting Ryan Leright, who joined the College in 2025. Fonseca’s duties include:

  • Supervising payroll
  • Supervising the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) administration
  • Overseeing federal and state compliance
  • Working on the annual financial audit
  • Providing great service

“I enjoy working in finance,” she said. “I enjoy working with numbers and problem-solving, particularly payroll complexities. I’m always up for new daily challenges – such as ensuring accuracy and payroll compliance, not to mention employee paycheck errors and inaccuracies – and providing good customer service to all of our employees.”

Amazing teammate and manager

HFC Payroll Associate – Non-Instructional Dianne Heiss has worked for Fonseca for eight years. She even informed Fonseca about this position when it opened.

“Dina is extremely knowledgeable in all matters relating to payroll and regulations,” said Heiss. “She is very dedicated to our payroll protocols being run accurately, making sure employees are paid correctly and timely.”

Although he hasn’t been at HFC long, Leright has really developed a good working relationship with Fonseca.

"In my short time at HFC, Dina has become one of the people I lean on the most,” he said. “Her passion for payroll is unmatched, and she in an expert in her field. She is someone that I know I can truly count on, and she is the kind of manager every team wishes they had."