This article appears for archival purposes. Any events, programs and/or initiatives mentioned may no longer be applicable.
Maricopa Community Colleges is proud to announce the selection of two new executive leaders. Dr. Eddie Genna will serve as the Senior Vice Chancellor of External Affairs, a role he has held in an interim capacity since September 2024. Valerie Jones joins the system as the new Vice Chancellor of Workforce & Economic Development, beginning in the role on July 1, 2025.
Dr. Eddie Genna Named Senior Vice Chancellor of External Affairs
Dr. Genna has served in numerous leadership positions during his 21-year career with the system, including senior advisor to the Chancellor, associate vice chancellor for faculty affairs, associate vice chancellor for public affairs and collaborative governance, and president of Maricopa Community Colleges Faculty Association. Over the last 10 months, Dr. Genna has worked to align the District’s External Affairs division more closely with the system’s mission, overseeing workforce development, government relations, corporate and employee training, and marketing and communications. Under his visionary leadership, the External Affairs division spearheaded a number of system-level priorities, including launching the Maricopa Leadership Institute, a comprehensive program created to nurture a culture of excellence and prepare the next generation of leaders.
“It is an extraordinary privilege to step into this role and work with this terrific team at a time when the Maricopa Community Colleges are poised to shape the future of higher education in Arizona. Throughout my career, I have been guided by a commitment to collaborative leadership, academic integrity, and creating opportunities for everyone. As we deepen our engagement with industry, government, and community partners, I look forward to advancing the Chancellor’s vision—one that aligns workforce innovation with the enduring values of education.”
During his time with the system, Dr. Genna has played a central role in developing an interest-based negotiation framework, mediation services, leadership training programs, and co-founded the system’s Committee on Academic Freedom. Additionally, Dr. Genna is a tenured faculty member at Phoenix College, where he previously taught philosophy and political science. Before his career in teaching and administration, Dr. Genna worked as a Berkeley Law Foundation Fellow in Phoenix, where he advocated for the employment rights of the working poor. Dr. Genna earned bachelor's degrees in political science and philosophy from Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University (ASU), a master’s degree in philosophy from the City University of New York, a juris doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, and a doctorate in political theory from ASU.
Dr. Genna assumed his permanent position on May 14, 2025.
Valerie Jones Selected as Vice Chancellor of Workforce & Economic Development
Ms. Jones brings more than 25 years of experience across the human resources, finance, and workforce development sectors. Since October 2023, Ms. Jones has served the system as an executive leader on loan from Bank of America (BofA). The innovative program provides supplemental resources to community-focused organizations, with BofA covering the employee’s salary and benefits. While with the system, Ms. Jones has supported workforce and economic development initiatives tied to the financial services industry, working with college leaders, nonprofits, business and industry, and government agencies to strengthen the system’s workforce-aligned programs.
“I am excited to join the Maricopa Community Colleges and lead the team as we work to fulfill the District's strategic priority aligned to workforce development,” said Ms. Jones. “My Leader on Loan experience gave me a unique opportunity to collaborate with the colleges, government, and industry partners, which will serve as the foundation for continued success.”
As the largest provider of workforce training in Maricopa County, Ms. Jones will play a key role in advancing Maricopa Community Colleges’ workforce development and economic growth efforts. Under the direction of Dr. Genna and in collaboration with Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost, Dr. Lisa Rae Armour, Ms. Jones will develop and implement best practices and programs related to career and technical education, customized training, innovation sectors, and accelerator offerings. In addition, Ms. Jones will provide fiscal oversight for workforce grants and the Arizona Small Business Development Center. Prior to joining the system, Ms. Jones held numerous talent strategy and acquisition roles during her tenure at BofA, including serving as the National Community College Talent Strategy Executive, where she developed 31 partnerships across 10 states to support curriculum design and workforce strategies. Ms. Jones holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication with a minor in business and a master’s degree in business administration, both from ASU.
Ms. Jones began in her new position on July 1, 2025.