PHOENIX (By Yvonne Wingett, Arizona Republic) December 21,
2004 - Phoenix College President Corina Gardea will be demoted next month
after a poor job review, Maricopa Community College District officials said
Monday.
The prominent Hispanic educator, who battled to maintain her position with the college last year, will be reassigned Jan. 10 to the Arizona Latino Policy Initiative to help link research findings with policies.
Anna Solley, a Latina who is vice chancellor of academic affairs for the district, will be acting president of the college, where Latinos represent at least 25 percent of the student population.
The change puts a new leader in place at the urban Phoenix school as it eyes downtown development and a massive building and renovation effort after the voter-approved Proposition 401, which funds the growth.
Gardea's reassignment disappointed some of the Valley's Hispanic leaders and surprised many students who say Latino-based organizations will weaken without her.
"I see us losing a lot of ground," said Daniel Nuñez, a Phoenix College student who said Gardea worked closely with the school's student groups. "We've covered a lot of ground with her. She made us feel more comfortable. She was active and involved."
District Chancellor Rufus Glasper said Gardea failed to meet performance expectations, but he declined to provide details. The publicly elected board that oversees the 10 community colleges does not have to approve the reassignment.
"It's unfortunate that I'm leaving under an unnecessary cloud," said Gardea, who was hired in October 2001. "I have done nothing egregious to warrant this severe action."
Some Hispanic leaders and groups have been disappointed in recent years over what they believe is lack of representation in leadership positions within the district. Gardea's demotion swelled that frustration, even though she is being replaced by another Hispanic.
Though three of the district's 10 college presidents are ethnic minorities, Valley Hispanics such as attorney Daniel Ortega believe the district should be adding more top-level administrators, not replacing them. District officials, though, say the system has a diverse top-level administration that is close to matching demographics.
"A lot of people are trying to make this a race issue, but I see it more as a management-style issue," district board member Scott Crowley said. "It's more of a chess game for Rufus to position himself in key positions to make the district successful."
Solley said she will meet immediately with faculty, students and community groups to ease tensions related to Gardea's move. "My office has an open door," she said.
Reach the reporter at yvonne.wingett@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-4712.
The prominent Hispanic educator, who battled to maintain her position with the college last year, will be reassigned Jan. 10 to the Arizona Latino Policy Initiative to help link research findings with policies.
Anna Solley, a Latina who is vice chancellor of academic affairs for the district, will be acting president of the college, where Latinos represent at least 25 percent of the student population.
The change puts a new leader in place at the urban Phoenix school as it eyes downtown development and a massive building and renovation effort after the voter-approved Proposition 401, which funds the growth.
Gardea's reassignment disappointed some of the Valley's Hispanic leaders and surprised many students who say Latino-based organizations will weaken without her.
"I see us losing a lot of ground," said Daniel Nuñez, a Phoenix College student who said Gardea worked closely with the school's student groups. "We've covered a lot of ground with her. She made us feel more comfortable. She was active and involved."
District Chancellor Rufus Glasper said Gardea failed to meet performance expectations, but he declined to provide details. The publicly elected board that oversees the 10 community colleges does not have to approve the reassignment.
"It's unfortunate that I'm leaving under an unnecessary cloud," said Gardea, who was hired in October 2001. "I have done nothing egregious to warrant this severe action."
Some Hispanic leaders and groups have been disappointed in recent years over what they believe is lack of representation in leadership positions within the district. Gardea's demotion swelled that frustration, even though she is being replaced by another Hispanic.
Though three of the district's 10 college presidents are ethnic minorities, Valley Hispanics such as attorney Daniel Ortega believe the district should be adding more top-level administrators, not replacing them. District officials, though, say the system has a diverse top-level administration that is close to matching demographics.
"A lot of people are trying to make this a race issue, but I see it more as a management-style issue," district board member Scott Crowley said. "It's more of a chess game for Rufus to position himself in key positions to make the district successful."
Solley said she will meet immediately with faculty, students and community groups to ease tensions related to Gardea's move. "My office has an open door," she said.
Reach the reporter at yvonne.wingett@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-4712.
