Phoenix College, Mesa Community College, Paradise Valley Community College and South Mountain Community College seeking new presidents | Scottsdale Community College selected a new president in February | Enrollment down, financial position precarious
Maricopa Community Colleges are looking for new presidents and other top executives to fill positions at four of its colleges. In an article by Alison Steinbach in the Arizona Republic of February 22, it was reported that Phoenix College, Mesa Community College, Paradise Valley Community College and South Mountain Community College are seeking new college presidents. Scottsdale Community College announced in February that it had just selected a new president.
The extraordinary turnover in leadership comes as the district struggles to recover from the pandemic. According to Ms. Steinbach’s article, “Overall enrollment has dropped more than 20% since spring 2020 and the district is dealing with a precarious financial position as a result.”
Interim Chancellor Dr. Steven Gonzales told the Arizona Republic that he is seeking persons who are “systems thinkers” with “entrepreneurial mindsets.” He also said that he saw this “as a great opportunity to change the culture of Maricopa. It gives us a chance to really rethink, what is Maricopa going to look like moving forward, especially at a time when we’re two years into this pandemic, there appears to be a shimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.”
Josh Wyner, the executive director of the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program, was quoted in the article. He told Ms. Steinbach that presidents are “the distinguishing factor” of the best community colleges. The Aspen Institute has studied what factors have the biggest impact in creating excellent colleges and student success.