Contact: Chris Chesrown
Media Relations Manager
480-731-8503

For Immediate Release

VICE CHANCELLOR SEARCH NARROWS TO THREE
Public to Participate in Choosing Student Development and Community Affairs Leader

May 24, 2002 – Three veteran educators have been named finalists in the search for a new Vice Chancellor of Student Development and Community Affairs at the Maricopa Community Colleges. Dr. Steven Helfgot, Vice President Public Affairs, Cerritos Community College, California; Nancy Jordan, Assistant Vice President, Institutional Advancement, Arizona State University; and Dr. Monte Perez, Provost/Vice President Academic Affairs/Administration, National Hispanic University, San Jose, California have been recommended to the Chancellor for consideration by the Vice Chancellor Search Committee.

The finalists will now participate in a series of public forums, conversations and interviews with other college and district officials as well as employee groups, on Monday, June 3 and Tuesday, June 4, 2002. Beginning at 4:00 p.m., on Monday, June 3, each candidate will have 30 minutes to deliver a brief prepared statement and answer questions from the public. The public forums are scheduled for the Governing Board Room at the District Office, 2411 W. 14th Street, Tempe, Arizona.

“Community input is vital in selecting the next leader of this important division,” said Chancellor Fred Gaskin. “The student development and community affairs umbrella includes many significant programs, such as the Center for Civic Participation, the Maricopa Foundation the Diversity Advisory Council and other student services. We strongly encourage members of our communities to participate in this process by voicing their questions.”

After the public sessions the Chancellor may recommend one of the candidates to the Maricopa Community College Governing Board.

Raúl Cárdenas, Ph.D., is retiring from the post after serving nearly a quarter century with the district. Cárdenas plans an active retirement with the Maricopa Community Colleges and would like to teach at the university level.

The Vice Chancellor of Student Development and Community Affairs oversees Facilities Planning and Development, Government Relations and External Affairs, Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, Marketing and Public Relations, and Student Services.

The Maricopa County Community College District is one of the largest community college districts in the nation. It includes 10 colleges – Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Estrella Mountain Community College, GateWay Community College, Glendale Community College, Mesa Community College, Paradise Valley Community College, Phoenix College, Rio Salado College, Scottsdale Community College and South Mountain Community College. The District also includes the Maricopa Skill Center, Southwest Skill Center, several satellite campuses and business/industry, technical and customized training institutes and serves more than 277,000 students annually. For more information: 480-731-8000 or www.maricopa.edu

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March 13, 2002