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February 15, 2001

Dr. Marie Pepicello Resigns from Phoenix College

Dr. Marie Pepicello, President of Phoenix College for the past eight years, has announced her resignation effective February 18, 2000.

Greater Phoenix, AZ - "It is with mixed emotions that I leave Phoenix College. The faculty, staff and students at PC are like family to me, and at the same time, I look forward to new challenges and opportunities as President/Superintendent of Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, California," Dr. Pepicello said.

Dr. Pepicello began her tenure at Arizona's original community college in July 1993.

Dr. Pepicello believes that a college president has an obligation to get to know the students. "You need to be seen by students and they need to feel you are approachable, for it is only then that we as college administrators can truly focus on meeting the needs of our students," she said. Not only does Dr. Pepicello walk around campus and talk with students, she has also taught math classes and taken Spanish classes. Last spring she accompanied the women's basketball team to the nationals in Hagerstown, Maryland.

She is also proud of the attitude of staff, faculty and students toward cultural diversity on the Phoenix College Campus. When she came to PC less than eight years ago, the student body was 65% white; now, it is only 41%. "We experienced a significant demographic change and were proactive in meeting the challenges and opportunities this change presented. We responded without conflict or without any negative elements. The student body at Phoenix College represents over 100 nations and nationalities. We celebrate our diversity and the richness it brings to our campus," Dr. Pepicello said.

Three years ago, President Pepicello organized an exchange program with the Universidad del Noroeste (UNO) in Hermosillo, Mexico. Last spring Phoenix College's baseball team conducted a baseball clinic in Hermosillo. This spring the baseball team from UNO will arrive on the PC campus. Last fall PC staff and faculty were guests of UNO, and staff and faculty from there have also visited PC.

"This program," said Mike Murphy, Director of Marketing at PC, "is just one example of Dr. Pepicello's cultural enrichment activities that have not only exposed us to other cultures, but has also led us to achieve a greater understanding of cultural differences."

Reaching out to the inner city's diverse populations has helped the College reverse a mid 90's enrollment decline, with three years of steady growth.

During Dr. Pepicello's tenure, the state's oldest community college undertook a major renovation of several original buildings, including the library and administration building. A three-story glass and brick structure was completed last fall to house classrooms, labs and faculty offices, creating an important new landmark for the College and surrounding community.

"President Pepicello's outstanding leadership at PC will be greatly missed," Chancellor Fred Gaskin said. "She has led by example. She has excellent interaction with students, faculty and staff. She has continued to encourage and build on the outstanding reputation that Maricopa Community Colleges have in celebrating diversity."

Morris Johnson, Dean of Students at Phoenix College, has been appointed the interim president of Phoenix College.

The Maricopa County Community College District is composed of 10 community colleges, several satellite campuses, skill centers and business/industry, technical and customized training institutes. For more information: 480-731-8000 or www.maricopa.edu.

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March 13, 2002