During a special meeting May 4, 2016, the Maricopa County Community College District Governing Board named Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick to the position of Chancellor. Dr. Harper-Marinick becomes the District’s fourth chancellor.
In brief remarks during the special governing Board meeting May 4, Dr. Harper-Marinick pledged that as Maricopa’s new leader, she will stimulate “excellence, innovation and accountability for all people, including myself.”
“I expect excellence from everyone,” she continued, adding that her goal is to ensure that Maricopa is “the best and most admired system of community colleges.”
During a reception after the meeting, Dr. Harper-Marinick recalled deciding early in her career that “my life of service would be in education,” specifically focusing on community colleges. She acknowledged that the District faces many issues, particularly in the area of finances. “I know we have challenges,” she explained, “but who doesn’t?”
“I am ready to do the work,” she said.
Dr. Harper-Marinick was, “in our view, the most qualified” of candidates for the position, said Dr. Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University and co-chair of the Search Committee. The other co-chair, Salina Bednarek, head of the Maricopa Faculty Executive Council, said there were 210 potential candidates, 29 of whom met minimum qualifications. Of those, the committee chose to interview six, and narrowed the choice to three finalists.
Dr. Harper-Marinick had been named Interim Chancellor during the Governing Board’s regular January meeting, replacing Dr. Rufus Glasper, who retired effective February 29.
