Governance and Planning

Governing Board

The Arizona State Statutes and legislative regulations provide the framework for all the Arizona Community Colleges. The MCCCD Governing Board derives its authority from Title 15, section 1444 of the Arizona Revised Statutes and is subject to the provisions of the Arizona State Constitution. As a political subdivision of the State of Arizona, the MCCCD is subject to the oversight of the District’s Governing Board. The Board is granted full authority from the Revised Statutes to manage the business and educational needs of the District.

The Maricopa Community Colleges are governed by a five-member elected board, with board members elected from five geographical districts representing all of Maricopa County.  Governing Board Members are elected to six year terms that are staggered.  Information about the Board members and their terms are provided below.

The Governing Board adheres to public meeting laws and regulations.  Board members routinely meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month to direct the activities of the District – to receive citizen input, hear reports on district and college activities, to conduct business and act on agenda items.  Strategic Conversations - held on the second Tuesday of each month - are designed to gather and share information informally on potential policy issues. These open meetings provide an opportunity for communication – between the Board, employees and community members - on issues of importance to everyone – and to achieve a greater understanding and support for district policies.  Past topics include: Student Outcomes, Innovations in Teaching and Learning, Diversity, Partnerships with the Community, International Education and Globalization, and Citizens’ Forum.

Board members also connect with the colleges.  While they represent all citizens, board members also regularly visit the colleges in the geographical districts they represent

Maricopa Governance 

The Maricopa County Community College District Governing Board adopted a leadership model, a variation of John Carver’s Policy Governance@ model in 1996. This model is described in the Maricopa Governance Online Policy Manual. One of their most important roles is to identify goals for the purpose of better serving and being accountable to its constituencies.  These constituencies include the People of Maricopa County, Students, Private and Public Sector Employers, Universities and Primary and Secondary Schools.

Board Policies regarding governance are policies adopted by the Governing Board to address various areas. Upon adoption of the Governance leadership model, the Governing Board retained responsibilities for some policies and transferred responsibility for other policies to the Chancellor.  The Board retained policies regarding:  Vision, Mission, and Value Statements; Goals (outcomes); Governance Process; Executive Duties and Responsibilities (the Chancellor’s role); Board-Staff Relationship; Employee Groups; and various General Policies.

Administrative Regulations
The Board policies, transferred to the Chancellor, are referred to as the Administrative Regulations and are used by the Chancellor in managing the day to day operations of the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD). The administrative regulations cover issues related to: Students, Instruction, Fiscal Management, Auxiliary Services, and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action (as well as various guidelines and procedures). These regulations are amended, adopted or deleted as necessary and are subject to a formal approval process.

Department/Auxiliary Rules of Operation
Various departments or auxiliaries throughout the district also may establish written practices or standards. Provided that such practices or standards are not in conflict with approved Board Policy or Administrative Regulations, they may supplement any provisions of this manual.