On January 25, 2020, Dr. Steven R. Gonzales was appointed Interim Chancellor of Maricopa Community Colleges. “I am humbled to have been asked to serve the District,” shared Dr. Gonzales with employees in his first internal message. As he prepares for the next chapter of his career, Maricopa Community Colleges reflect on the visionary leadership, profound impact, and lasting legacy of the system’s fifth chancellor.
Days in Office
After serving in an interim capacity for nearly three years, Dr. Gonzales was appointed Maricopa Community Colleges' permanent chancellor on September 27, 2022. Across both interim and permanent chancellor positions, the servant leader has committed 2,349 days of service to the 10-college system.
25+ Years of Leadership
After graduating from Northern Arizona University, a hometown calling drew Dr. Gonzales back to Coolidge, Ariz., where he served as a high school math teacher and wrestling coach. Staying local meant teaching family members, including his younger brother and even cousins. Two years later, his journey in higher education began as a developmental education specialist at Central Arizona College (CAC). Dr. Gonzales’ 15-year tenure at CAC included completing his master’s and doctoral degrees, serving as a math faculty member, and moving into his first of many leadership roles. While at CAC, Dr. Gonzales realized that expanding his reach as a leader meant making a real impact on students.
His career with Maricopa Community Colleges began in 2013 when the Governing Board unanimously approved his appointment as the eighth President of GateWay Community College (GWCC). “This position is well aligned with my experience, personal goals, and values,” shared Dr. Gonzales upon assuming his new role.
An AI Pioneer
In 2020, what started at Maricopa Community Colleges would become a national model for innovation. By partnering with Intel and the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), the system launched the nation’s first community college certificate and associate degree program in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning at Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC), later expanding it to Estrella Mountain Community College. This year, Intel, along with system, college, and Valley leaders, including Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, celebrated five years of advancing AI.
600 Bachelor’s Degrees Conferred
In 2021, Arizona became the 25th state to allow community colleges to confer bachelor’s degrees. In a historic moment, Maricopa Community Colleges became the first community college system in the state to receive HLC approval to offer seven bachelor’s degrees—all of which launched in 2023. “Our seven bachelor’s degree programs will provide affordability, flexibility, and career-focused subject matter to prepare our students to enter a number of high-demand professions,” shared Dr. Gonzales.
During the first year, over 2,000 students were enrolled in the four-year degree programs. Today, enrollment exceeds 10,000 students across 11 bachelor’s degree offerings. This past commencement season, more than 300 students graduated with a workforce-aligned bachelor’s degree, bringing the total to 600 degrees awarded. Maricopa Community Colleges also announced plans to expand program offerings to 26, with three new bachelor’s degrees launching in Fall 2027.
Two Workforce Accelerators
Dr. Gonzales has been influential in advancing the system's strategic priorities as a leader of workforce training. As Chancellor, he helped shape many of the system’s workforce-aligned programs by collaborating with industry giants, business, and government leaders to support critical sectors across the state.
Recognizing the system’s ability to move at the speed of industry, Gov. Hobbs and the ACA tapped the Maricopa Community Colleges to lead two of the state’s Future48 Workforce Accelerators. With a $6 million investment, the aerospace and defense facility will welcome students at CGCC’s Williams campus this Fall. It will train 1,000 students annually for careers at Boeing, Honeywell, and other regional employers. Additionally, the $20 million first-of-its-kind semiconductor-focused accelerator is designed in collaboration with leaders from TSMC and Intel and is scheduled to open in 2027 at GWCC’s Central City campus.
145,000 Students and Counting
For over a century, Maricopa Community Colleges has removed financial barriers by prioritizing people over profits. Continuing with this long-standing tradition, Dr. Gonzales has worked to ensure that tuition for all students, regardless of their background, remains affordable. Under Dr. Gonzales’ leadership, the 10-college system experienced 12 straight semesters of enrollment growth. For the fourth consecutive year, tuition remains frozen, with 93% of students graduating from the system’s 10 colleges with financial freedom.
$16 Million Philanthropic Investment
Philanthropic support helps Maricopa Community Colleges to further its mission. As a lasting reminder of Dr. Gonzales’ impact, the system recently received a multi-year $16 million grant from Arnold Ventures, making it the largest single investment in its history. The grant supports the launch of Commit2Completion, which is based on the City University of New York’s Accelerated Study in Associate Programs, recognized as one of the nation’s most effective student success models.
A Promise for the Future
To ensure students in Maricopa County have access to higher education, Dr. Gonzales championed the Maricopa Promise Program. The unique and collaborative funding model ensures the program sustains for future Promise Scholars across the 10-college system. More than 900 students were part of the inaugural Fall 2025 cohort, receiving scholarships and personalized support services. The first in his family to attend college, Dr. Gonzales and his wife, Desiree, established The Steven and Desiree Gonzales Legacy Fund through the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation to empower first-generation learners for years to come.
In his final update during the June 23, 2026, Governing Board meeting, Dr. Gonzales concluded his report with, “I leave with deep gratitude for your trust, your collaboration, and your unwavering belief in the mission of our colleges. While leadership changes, the values that define Maricopa: service, innovation, inclusion, and student success will continue to guide this remarkable institution. I have every confidence that the best days for Maricopa are still ahead. I want to thank you for the privilege of serving alongside you. It has been one of the greatest honors of my career, and I will always be proud to have been part of the Maricopa family.”