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CGCC History

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Individual Perspectives

Bartholomew, Lois (65KB .pdf file)

Lois Bartholomew

Lois Bartholomew came to MCCCD in 1980 as the Director of Student Life at Mesa Community College. In 1989, she became the Associate Dean of Student Services at CGCCC. In 1992, when the college became independently accredited, she received a new title, Dean of Student Services. Her position was titled Vice President of Student Affairs in January of 2005. Lois has served as the Chief Student Affairs Officer for 17 years at the time of this research.

Bedal, Chuck (49KB .pdf file)

Chuck Bedal

Charles "Chuck" Bedal started teaching in MCCCD in 1969 at GateWay Community College, which was then called Maricopa Technical College. In 1984, he was elected President of the Faculty Association at GWCC and therefore was regularly attending meetings of the Governing Board, where he heard about the plans to build a college in the Southeast Valley. Chuck was one of three founding faculty members of CGEC in 1985. He taught math and computer science and also served for several years as Division Chair of Mathematics and Sciences.

Bernal, Andy (47KB .pdf file)

Andy Bernal

Andrew "Andy" Bernal was born and raised in Gilbert. He worked at McClintock High School, Arizona Western College, and Central Arizona College before coming to MCCCD. After gaining experience in cooperative education at Rio Salado College, he came to CGEC in 1985. He was at CGCC from 1985-1993, serving first as Assistant Provost and then as Dean of Occupational Education. He was the Dean of Instruction at GateWay Community College from 1993-1998. He has retired but remains active in the community, particularly in helping Hispanic youth.

Campbell, Don (24KB .pdf file)

Don Campbell

Dr. Donald Campbell was first elected to the MCCCD Governing Board in 1982. His current term ends in 2007. Don's degrees include an associate's from Phoenix College, and a bachelors and doctorate from ASU. He was an employee of Arizona State University for 20 years, from 1969-1990, before pursuing his interests in real estate. He has also served as the commandant of Project Challenge, an in-residence program for at-risk high school youth. Dr. Campbell has also served on numerous community committees and task forces.

Christiansen, Larry (57KB .pdf file)

Larry Christiansen

Dr. Larry Christiansen started his career at MCCCD at Glendale Community College as Associate Dean for vocational programs and eventually became the Dean of Administrative Services. In 1988, he became president of Mesa Community College, when CGCCC was an extension site. Provost Arnette Ward reported to Dr. Christiansen until 1992 when CGCC was independently accredited. Dr. Christiansen was also instrumental in securing the Williams Campus for MCCCD.

Conkright, Alice (47KB .pdf file)

Alice Conkright

Dr. Alice Conkright began her career in MCCCD in 1981 at South Mountain Community College as a librarian and staff developer. In 1985, she became one of the founding faculty members of CGEC. She helped establish the Learning Resources Center for CGCC, and taught English and Humanities. She was the Honors Program Coordinator and she served multiple terms as Chair of the Language and Humanities Division before retiring in 2003.

Contreras, Ed (24KB .pdf file)

Ed Contreras

Mr. Ed Contreras was first elected to the MCCCD Governing Board in 1994, following several years of service on CGCC's President's Community Advisory Council. He is a graduate of Central Arizona College and Arizona State University. In addition to his career in accounting, he has been active in numerous community organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of the East Valley and the East Valley Hispanic Leadership Institute.

Elsner, Paul (69KB .pdf file)

Paul Elsner

Dr. Paul Elsner is Chancellor Emeritus of the Maricopa County Community College District. He was a Vice Chancellor in California for many years before taking the Chancellor's position in MCCCD in 1977. During his tenure he grew the system from five to ten colleges and was considered by many to be one of the nation's most prominent higher education leaders. Dr. Elsner retired from MCCCD in 1999, after 22 years as Chancellor. In his retirement he founded and is now President of Sedona Conference and Conversations.

Flury, Sharon (27KB .pdf file)

Sharon Flury

Sharon Flury moved to Arizona in 1986 from Minnesota where she had worked at 3M headquarters and St. Olaf and Carleton colleges. She began working as the Office Coordinator for CGEC's two Assistant Provosts in 1987. She became the Curriculum Technician, then an Administrative Assistant, and eventually the manager in charge of curriculum. As Curriculum Coordinator, she produced college catalogs and handled the development of curriculum. She retired in October 2006.

Ford, Sid (24KB .pdf file)

Sid Ford

Sidney "Sid" Ford came to Arizona in 1982. He taught as an adjunct faculty member at Scottsdale and Mesa Community Colleges. After running his own restaurant, he started teaching accounting full-time at CGCC in 1987. Sid served as Division Chair of the Business/CIS Division, in addition to coordinating the faculty travel arrangements for many years. Currently, he develops and teaches on-line accounting courses for CGCC.

Gonzales, Gil (57KB .pdf file)

Gil Gonzales

Gilbert "Gil" Gonzales taught history for CGEC on an adjunct basis and then in 1986 became the Director of Learning Resources, which included the library, tutoring, and computer services. He soon was retitled the Associate Dean of Learning Resources (CIO). In 1992, he left CGCC to pursue an opportunity at the Maricopa district office, then in 1994 became the Dean of Information Technology at MCC. Gil currently serves as the Chief Information Officer at Cal State Monterey Bay.

Hogan, Margaret (47KB .pdf file)

Margaret Hogan

Margaret Hogan was an English teacher, Division Chair, and Faculty Development Coordinator at a college in El Paso, Texas. She came to MCCCD as a Faculty Development Specialist. She was selected as Assistant Provost for CGEC in 1985, and then named the Dean of Arts and Sciences when the college became independently accredited. Shortly thereafter she became Dean of Instruction and stayed until 1998. After 13 years at CGCC, she returned to the district office until her retirement. She remains active in numerous community organizations.

Jarvis, Ana (25KB .pdf file)

Ana Jarvis

Dr. Ana Jarvis taught Spanish for several California community colleges and the University of California for 20 years before moving to Arizona. She was hired at CGCCC as Spanish faculty in 1987, and continues to serve in that role. In addition to building CGCC's Spanish program, she teaches and has been involved in numerous college committees over time, including the International Education Committee. She is a noted author of the best-selling textbook series, Como se Dice?, published by Houghton-Mifflin.

Larson, Brenda (34KB .pdf file)

Brenda Larson

Dr. Brenda Larson began her CGCC career as a teacher of office automation and personal computers in 1987. Previously, she taught at Greenway High School for approximately 13 years, and adjunct faculty for Glendale Community College. In addition to her teaching, she provided leadership in the cooperative learning program. When the college began a teacher education program, Brenda transferred into an education faculty position, which she holds today.

Mason, Marybeth (82KB .pdf file)

Marybeth Mason

Marybeth Mason taught in the Chandler, Apache Junction, and Mesa school districts, before coming to CGCC in 1990. She taught English and Humanities, and served as Faculty Development Coordinator from 1990-1995. Marybeth is considered the founder of both the cooperative learning and service learning programs at CGCC. She was and continues to be very involved in the learning communities and civic engagement programs. Currently, she handles special projects for the college President.

Matthews, Wanda (36KB .pdf file)

Wanda Matthews

Wanda Matthews was a junior high school teacher in the Roosevelt School District before coming to CGCCC when the Pecos Campus opened in 1987. She taught reading for the college for 10 years and also served as the Honors Program Coordinator for several years. Upon the passing of her husband, Wanda returned to Florida to be near her family.

McCord, Robin (38KB .pdf file)

Robin McCord

Dr. Robin McCord began her career at CGCCC in 1987, transferring from Glendale Community College where she had been working since 1982. She taught physics, engineering, and astronomy. In addition, Robin wrote and received several major grants from the National Science Foundation. Over the years, she has served on the International Education and Instructional Computing Committees. Currently, in addition to her teaching, she provides consulting services for a university in Kosovo.

Miller, Larry (42KB .pdf file)

Larry Miller

Dr. Larry Miller came to MCCCD from Chicago where he was at Moraine Valley Community College. He began at Glendale Community College in 1984 and then came to CGCCC in 1987 as the college's first librarian. He continues to serve in that capacity, but has also been Chair of the Library Division. During his time at CGCC, Larry served as the Faculty Association Vice President and Secretary, on the Library building committee, and as advisor to the Phi Theta Kappa organization.

Navarro, Victor (34KB .pdf file)

Victor Navarro

Victor Navarro has spent most of his professional career in the Maricopa Community Colleges. He started at South Mountain Community College as a student worker and then became an Admissions and Records Technician. He spent eight years at the district office in technical services, before coming to CGCCC in 1987. He has progressed from Telecommunications Technician to Coordinator of Computer Services to Manager of Computer Operations. Since 2005, he has been the Director of Information Technology or CIO.

Oakes, Duane (78KB .pdf file)

Duane Oakes

Duane Oakes attended Mesa Community College where he served as student body Vice President. After receiving bachelor's and master's degrees from Brigham Young University, he returned to Arizona as a Program Advisor in CGCC's new Office of Student Life in 1991. Soon he became the Director of Student Life. Duane was a critical part of the team that began the CGCC service-learning program. He accepted a faculty position in charge of the service-learning program at Mesa Community College in 2000, where he continues to serve.

Palinsky, Julie (32KB .pdf file)

Julie Palinsky

Julie Palinsky was one of CGCCC's first graduates in 1987. She was a resident of Chandler and a graduate of Chandler High School when she returned to college. Julie worked full-time at the college in the computer lab for many years before moving into the Admissions and Records Department. Currently, she handles graduation checkout and other duties for the college.

Penley, Yolanda (41KB .pdf file)

Yolanda Penley

Dr. Yolanda Penley came to MCCCD in 1985 from Texas. She began teaching business and management courses on an adjunct basis and in 1986 was hired at CGCCC. She served as Chair of the Business/CIS Division for many years and she chaired the college's first accreditation self-study. In 1987, she went to Mesa Community College and subsequently became Association Dean of Instruction in charge of Career and Technical Education Programs. She is currently at Colorado State University.

Rosenthal, Linda (32KB .pdf file)

Linda Rosenthal

Mrs. Linda B. Rosenthal is the longest-serving board member of the MCCCD Governing Board, having been initially elected in 1979. She was board president during the successful MCCCD bond elections of 1984, 1994, and 2004. Her bachelors and masters degrees were earned at the University of Vermont and New York University. She has served as a board member on the Arizona Association of District Governing Boards, the Arizona Community College Association, and the Association of Community College Trustees.

Shovers, Barb (31KB .pdf file)

Barbara Shovers

Barbara Shovers had been an adjunct faculty member in MCCCD for six years before being hired at CGCCC in 1987 to teach English as a Second Language and developmental English. She taught CGCC's first learning community in 1994 and is considered the founder of the college's learning communities program. In 1999 she received a Creative Pathways Project and pursued education in gerontology and alternative medicines. Currently she is teaching alternative medicine and spirituality courses in the Wellness Division.

Simpson, Wally (31KB .pdf file)

Wally Simpson

On February 20, 1984, Dr. Wallace Simpson became the fourth president of Mesa Community College. Wally, as he was known, had been President at Inver Hills Community College in Minnesota prior to that. He left MCC in 1988 to become the Chancellor of Olympic College in Washington. He is now retired and living in Minnesota with his wife Rose. Wally remains active serving on several boards.

Sittner, Carolyn (21KB .pdf file)

Carolyn Sittner

Carolyn Sittner started her career in MCCCD in 1978 as a cashier at the district office. She subsequently became Accounting Assistant and Supervisor of General Accounting. She did a Visions Project at CGEC in 1986 and then became CGCCC's first fiscal agent in 1987. As her responsibilities grew, she became Manager of the Fiscal Office and then in 1999 was named College Business Officer. She retired in 2004 and is currently in the active retirement program where she continues to work for the college on a part-time basis.

Stein, Nancy (26KB .pdf file)

Nancy Stein

Ms. Nancy Stein served for 13 years on the MCCCD Governing Board from 1992-2005. Prior to being elected to the board, she had been very active in education at the Hopi Elementary School, the Kachina Country Day School, and at Scottsdale Community College, where she earned an associate degree. During her years on the board, she served on numerous district committees including the Capital Development Advisory Council. Ms. Stein was also a member of CGCC's Sun Lakes Advisory Council.

Stuebner, Sandra (40KB .pdf file)

Sandra Stuebner

Sandra Stuebner started teaching part-time for CGEC in 1986. Later that year, she was hired as a residential counselor to handle advisement, assessment testing, orientation, and counseling for students. In 1988, she became psychology faculty and was the first Chair of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Division. She has served two terms as CGCC Faculty Association President, and has also served as the MCCCD Faculty Senate President. Currently, she has returned to teaching psychology and serving as Chair of her division.

Travers, Diane (38KB .pdf file)

Diane Travers

Diane Travers first met Arnette Ward as a student at MCC. After earning her degrees, she returned to Arizona and began working at the district office in 1985. In 1986, she was hired as a residential faculty member at CGEC teaching communications. She served as advisor to the student leadership group for several years and on multiple building advisory committees. In 2003, she received the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Award.

Underwood, John (52KB .pdf file)

John Underwood

John Underwood retired from the Air Force in 1988 and became the college's first faculty member in aviation. He became Aviation Program Director and then eventually Associate Dean in charge of all occupational and continuing education programs. In 1998, he became the Senior Associate Dean at CGCC. In 2003, John took a promotional opportunity and became the Executive Director of the Maricopa Skill Center, which is a unit of GateWay Community College.

Urbanski, Cathy (24KB .pdf file)

Cathy Urbanski

Cathy Urbanski was the secretary for the President of GateWay Community College in 1985 when Arnette Ward was looking for a secretary to help her begin CGEC. Cathy worked as Ward's assistant, then became the Institutional Research Specialist for several years. With the completion of a graduate degree and several years of adjunct teaching experience in computer applications at MCC, she became residential faculty at CGCC teaching computer software, where she continues to serve.

Ward, Arnette (103KB .pdf file)

Arnette Ward

Arnette Scott Ward served as the founding Provost of Chandler-Gilbert Education Center, which later became Chandler-Gilbert Community College Center, and then eventually Chandler-Gilbert Community College. In 1992, she became the founding President of CGCC, where she served until her retirement in 2002. Arnette had previously served as a counselor and Dean of Students at Mesa Community College. In addition to serving on numerous community boards during her tenure as Provost and President, Ms. Ward is also an accomplished performing artist.

Weaver, David (45KB .pdf file)

David Weaver

David Weaver began at CGCCC as physics faculty in 1987. Prior to that, he had taught at Scottsdale Community College since 1982, and had served as SCC Faculty Association President. David developed curriculum in semiconductor manufacturing technology for the college, and was the CGCC Faculty Development Coordinator until 1990. He has served on the Instructional Computing Committee, building committees, and numerous other projects for the college. Currently, he is very involved with the American Association of Physics Teachers.

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