Glendale Community College names new president after national search
The Maricopa County Community College District has chosen a Texas college administrator to be the next president of Glendale Community College.
MCCCD said that after a nationwide search it chose Tiffany Hernandez, a former Arizonan who is currently vice president for student success at San Antonio College, to take the reins at GCC. She will step into her new role on July 10, taking over from Ernie Lara, who has been GCC’s interim president since October.
“I am honored to be returning to my home state of Arizona to serve communities in the West Valley at Glendale Community College,” Hernandez said in a statement. “I look forward to leading collaboratively with the college faculty, staff, students, and colleagues throughout the Maricopa Community Colleges. Together we will work with community partners to transform lives and support a thriving community through education.”
In addition to her primary role at San Antonio College, where she has been for more than 13 years, Hernandez has been serving as that school’s accreditation liaison to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission of Colleges. She also played a significant leadership role in getting started a baccalaureate degree program in nursing there — the first baccalaureate degree approved in the Alamo Colleges District.
Hernandez also was credited with leadership that helped earn San Antonio College the 2021 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the Malcom Baldrige National Quality Award and the Seal of Exceléncia from Excélencia in Education.
“The selection committee was impressed with Dr. Hernandez’s enthusiasm, energy, and expertise. Her recent experience with baccalaureate degrees and the accreditation process will be invaluable as MCCCD launches our high-demand bachelor’s degrees this fall and works to develop future program offerings,” MCCCD Chancellor Steven Gonzales said in a statement. “Dr. Hernandez’s collaborative leadership style will positively impact students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding GCC community as we work together to expand our in-demand workforce programs and training opportunities.”
Hernandez graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in Russian language before going on to earn a J.D. from the University of Utah College of Law and a Ph.D. in criminal justice from Texas State University.