Following a national search, the Maricopa Community Colleges Governing Board is set to vote on the appointment of Dr. Steven Bloomberg as the next Chancellor of Maricopa Community Colleges during a public meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
Dr. Bloomberg currently serves as Chancellor of the Kern Community College District (KCCD) in California, where he leads a multi-college district serving more than 50,000 students across Bakersfield College, Cerro Coso Community College, and Porterville College. He brings more than 30 years of higher education leadership experience, having served in executive leadership roles across California, Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
Decades of Higher Education and Workforce Leadership
Throughout his career, Dr. Bloomberg has led initiatives focused on workforce development, student success, institutional operations, strategic planning, and community partnerships. His experience includes serving as President of Southeast Arkansas College and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Oklahoma City Community College.
"Education changes lives, families, and entire communities, and I believe deeply in our responsibility as leaders to create opportunity for every student who walks through our doors. I am incredibly honored to serve as Chancellor of the Maricopa County Community College District and to join a community so deeply committed to student success, innovation, and service. Together, we will build on Maricopa’s extraordinary legacy while expanding pathways of hope, achievement, and economic mobility for the students and communities we are privileged to serve,” said Dr. Bloomberg.
Dr. Bloomberg is a first-generation college student and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of LaVerne in LaVerne, Calif., a Master of Education from West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas, and a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from the American College of Education in Indianapolis.
Building on Momentum
The national search concludes on the heels of sustained momentum and transformational growth for the 10-college system, including 12 consecutive semesters of enrollment growth and the launch of the system’s first bachelor’s degree programs. This year, enrollment in Maricopa Community Colleges’ bachelor’s degree offerings is on pace to surpass 10,000 students, reflecting a significant expansion of educational access and opportunity across Arizona.
“As President of the Governing Board and Chair of the Chancellor Search Committee, I congratulate Dr. Bloomberg on his selection as the next Chancellor of Maricopa Community Colleges, pending Governing Board approval,” said Maricopa Community Colleges Governing Board President Dr. Linda Thor. “Dr. Bloomberg brings decades of higher education leadership experience across multiple states and is widely recognized as a student-centered leader who is visible, transparent, and deeply engaged with the communities he serves. He is known as a strong communicator who listens thoughtfully to students, employees, and community stakeholders, and we look forward to his leadership.”
Throughout the search process, the committee remained focused on identifying a leader who understands the mission of community colleges, values student success and workforce development, and can advance the long-term success of the system and its 10 colleges.
“I want to thank the members of the search committee, the participants in the invitational forums, and the hundreds of employees who provided feedback that helped inform the position profile and search process,” continued Dr. Thor. “It was a thorough and collaborative effort that resulted in an outstanding outcome for Maricopa Community Colleges.”
What’s Next
Pending Governing Board approval, Dr. Bloomberg would succeed Chancellor Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, who previously announced he would be concluding his service as Chancellor after serving in the role for the past six and a half years.
Learn more about Maricopa Community Colleges at maricopa.edu.