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PCC Governing Board Seeks Public Involvement in Chancellor Search Process

April 4, 2012

Tucson, AZ – The Pima Community College Governing Board wants the public to be actively involved in the search for a new chancellor.

At a public meeting Tuesday, the Board outlined the steps it will take in the weeks and months ahead to select the right person to lead one of the nation’s largest multi-campus community colleges.

The process includes hiring an executive-search firm and creation of an advisory search committee composed of members of the community, PCC employees and students.

 “We want to use every tool in the toolbox,” Board Chairman Scott Stewart said. “The public needs to be confident that the process is fair, transparent and robust.”

The Board announced the creation of a new email address to get the public involved and help it stay informed during the search process, which is expected to last about a year.

Through Chancellorsearch@pima.edu, the Board hopes its constituents will express their opinions and offer suggestions about all aspects of the selection process.

 The Board also directed the College to create a public webpage that will serve as a clearinghouse for information related to the search process, and will include updates, documents related to the search, answers to frequently asked questions, and other resources.

 Board Members Dr. Brenda Even and Sherryn “Vikki” Marshall agreed that public input into the search for a new chancellor is essential.

 “We want an ongoing involvement of the public,” Dr. Even said.

“Everything will be open and aboveboard,” said Ms. Marshall.

Chairman Stewart has described the chancellor post as being similar to a CEO of a medium to large company. PCC’s  chancellor oversees an annual budget of $288 million, about 1,500 full-time employees and academic programs that serve more than 75,000 students.

PCC’s six campuses and education centers include nearly 1.7 million square feet of facilities and 539 acres of land. Each year, the College purchases goods and services valued at about $75 million.

Major elements of the chancellor selection process include:

  • Request for Proposals for an executive-search firm: The Board intends to hire an executive-search firm in order to ensure the best-possible pool of prospective candidates for chancellor. The Board will hold a public meeting to hear presentations from search-firm finalists and is hopeful a firm can be hired by July 1.
  • Search Committee: The Board will create an advisory search committee that will work closely with the executive-search firm and likely will consist of 20-25 people. The committee will have representatives from groups that have a stake in the College, Board Member Marty Cortez said, including local K-12 school districts, the University of Arizona, members of the PCC Governing Board, business owners, students, PCC employee organizations, and non-profit and community organizations. “We are throwing the door open,” Ms. Cortez said.
  • Finalists: The College intends to hold public forums to allow the community and PCC employees to meet and hear from each finalist. College representatives also may visit the campuses of finalists currently working at institutions of higher education.

On Feb. 29, the Board named Dr. Suzanne Miles Interim Chancellor. She succeeded Dr. Roy Flores, who was forced to step down because of health reasons. Miles announced last month that she will not seek the permanent chancellor’s position, and will return to Community Campus as president when a permanent chancellor begins work at PCC.

CONTACT:
C.J. Karamargin
Vice Chancellor for Public Information and Government Relations
(520) 206-4850
ckaramargin@pima.edu