The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) has selected four finalists for the next president of Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC). The search committee, comprised of college, student, and community representatives, has conducted a thorough screening and preliminary interviews with applicants in order to identify those best suited to lead PVCC with long-term success.
Public forums with finalists will take place on Monday, May 6, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The forums are open to students, employees, and the general public. Each forum allows the audience to ask questions and provide feedback that goes to the Chancellor for further consideration as part of a comprehensive and inclusive evaluation of each candidate. The links to access the live-streamed events will become available on the Paradise Valley Community College President Search webpage on Monday, May 6. Participants may also attend public forums in-person at Paradise Valley Community College:
Paradise Valley Community College - Main Campus
Center for Performing Arts - CPA
18401 N 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85032
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In alphabetical order, the finalists are:
Mary Barnes-Tilley, Ph.D.
Dr. Mary Barnes-Tilley currently serves as the Campus Provost at Collin College. She has over 28 years of experience working for community colleges as a faculty member and has held various administrative and executive leadership roles. In her current role, Dr. Barnes-Tilley oversees campus operations, which include academic and workforce programs, student enrollment services, facilities, library services, and athletics. Under her leadership and through enhanced student-centric scheduling and enrollment management, the Plano Campus experienced positive enrollment growth after a decade of decline, including a 42% decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She is a relational leader serving those in her care through building trust, making connections, inspiring others, encouraging innovative thinkers, lifelong learning, consistency in her actions, and kindness to others and herself.
Dr. Barnes-Tilley received an associate degree from Blinn College, a bachelor’s degree in Government from the University of Texas at Austin, a master’s degree in Political Science from Sam Houston State University, and a doctorate in Political Science from Texas A&M University.
Todd G. Fritch, Ph.D.
With 20 years of experience, Dr. Fritch currently is the Executive Vice President and Provost at the State College of Florida, Manatee Sarasota (SCF), joining the college in 2018. Serving as both the Chief Academic Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Fritch leads SCF’s team of deans and academic administrators in developing university transfer and workforce-driven curriculum to meet the educational needs of the college’s service region while providing support and leadership for SFC’s vice presidents.
Throughout his career, Dr. Fritch’s focus has been to develop programs and initiatives to ensure student success across all aspects of the institution, as well as growing and diversifying enrollments and college revenues, addressing facilities and other institutional needs, and rethinking the traditional college business model.
Dr. Fritch earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Lake Superior State College and his Master of Science and Doctorate degrees in Geology from Baylor University.
Lyvier L. Leffler, Ph.D.
Dr. Lyvier Leffler is currently the Vice President of Student Success at Lone Star College – University Park. She previously served in roles, including Academic Dean at Remington College – Dallas Campus and Vice President of Student Development Services at Tarrant County College – Southwest Campus. For over 11 years, Dr. Leffler worked at Indian Hills Community College where she held various leadership positions, including Dean of Academic Services, Associate Dean of Academic and Student Services, Department Chair of Housing and Counseling Services, Director of Counseling Services, and Director of Rural Health Educational Partnerships.
As a first-generation Hispanic community college student, Dr. Leffler received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with a minor in Sociology from Iowa State University, a Master of Science in Counseling from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, and a Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Iowa State University and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.
Normah Salleh-Barone, Ph.D.
With over 30 years of higher education experience, Dr. Normah Salleh-Barone has served as the Vice President of Student Development at Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) since 2010. Prior to her appointment at MVCC, she served as the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs and Dean of Students at McHenry County College from 2000 until 2005. Dr. Salleh-Barone served as an English as a Second Language faculty member and the assistant coordinator of Instructional Programs at the State University of New York at Buffalo for 10 years before taking the role of the Director of Multicultural Student Affairs at MVCC in 2000.
She received her bachelor’s degree in Education from Ohio University and earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo and was a recipient of the David L. Clark National Graduate Student Award.
You can learn more about each candidate and read their full bios here.