Four presidents named at Maricopa County district college campuses
The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) finalized the selection of new college presidents at four of its campuses around the Valley.
The selection of these education leaders was conducted through a reassignment process that applies to those who serve under an MCCCD executive-level contract. Each college leader will assume their new job on July 1, 2024.
“Our system is home to a great deal of talent,” MCCCD Chancellor Steven R. Gonzales said in a statement. “The selection of these four leaders will allow us to fill critical vacancies so that our colleges can continue the positive momentum we have experienced over the past academic year and maintain our focus on providing students with access to affordable, high-quality postsecondary education.”
Here is a snapshot of each of the leader’s qualifications, in alphabetical order by college name:
CJ Wurster, Ed.D., interim president, Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Wurster is currently the vice president of academic affairs of Phoenix College, overseeing 17 academic departments and the college’s academic support services. Additionally, he was previously district director of academic affairs, where he effectively co-led the systemwide work toward launching MCCCD’s first bachelor’s degrees.
He earned a doctorate in educational leadership and a master of administration degree from Northern Arizona University, and a bachelor of science in criminal justice from Rochester Institute of Technology.
Richard Daniel, Ph.D., president of Mesa Community College
Daniel’s professional experience spans 30 years in the Arizona higher education sector, including serving as president of South Mountain Community College for the past 18 months. Before joining MCCCD, he served as the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Education Forward Arizona, where he worked to identify partnerships and fundraising opportunities for the organization’s growth and impact.
Daniel earned a doctorate of philosophy in educational leadership and policy studies, a master of education in higher education administration, and a bachelor of science in exercise science from Arizona State University.
Jana Schwartz, Ph.D., president of Paradise Valley Community College
Schwartz brings over 20 years of higher education experience and has served as the college’s interim president for the past 10 months and as the vice president of student affairs for the college. She previously served as the dean of pathways and student success and the dean of student affairs at Front Range Community College in Colorado.
Schwartz earned a doctorate of philosophy in higher education and student affairs leadership from the University of Northern Colorado, a master of arts in student development in postsecondary education from the University of Iowa, and a bachelor of arts in psychology from Central College in Iowa.
Veronica Hipolito, president of South Mountain Community College
Hipolito brings over 20 years of experience in higher education and currently serves as the vice president of student affairs at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. She has also previously served as interim president of Scottsdale Community College and Coconino Community College. She was selected as one of 35 leaders for the 2023-24 class of the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship.
Hipolito was named as a finalist for the SMCC job in September 2022.
Hipolito holds a master of arts in community counseling and a bachelor of science in elementary education from Northern Arizona University. She is currently completing a doctorate of education in higher education leadership at Gwynedd Mercy University, a private Roman Catholic institution in Pennsylvania.