Mesa Community College continues with administrative turnover due to financial situation
Interim president of Mesa Community College, Kimberly Britt, announced on March 29 the college canceled its hiring search for a new Vice President of Information Technology and have instead begun to search for an Associate Vice President of Information Technology due to financial reasons.
“This approach aligns more with our current fiscal capacity. It will still allow us to attract talented professionals who can contribute significantly to our IT initiatives. The search for the AVP position will commence in August,” read Britt’s announcement to employees.
After Britt initially scheduled an in-person interview on April 2 with The Mesa Legend to address questions regarding the announcement, media relations manager for MCC Dawn Zimmer told The Mesa Legend on April 3 that the interim president was no longer available for the interview and provided an email statement on April 8.
“As an organization, we routinely evaluate positions for better alignment with strategic objectives and organizational effectiveness. This position was adjusted as part of that process,” penned Britt.
“We routinely review staffing and resources as part of the planning process. This includes input from key stakeholders, various working groups and committees, to ensure we are operating effectively and efficiently. No other departments or hiring processes are affected by this isolated adjustment,” added Britt.
The statement was provided after Zimmer communicated to The Mesa Legend that Britt would “provide written responses to your questions,” via email.
The questions explored the financial situation referenced by Britt, what caused it, the new hiring searches and other decisions which may be made in the near future.
The college also announced Indra Paola Peláez as the new Dean of Enrollment Services on April 1, with her taking the role effective April 29.
The announcements join a thread of administrative turnover and reorganization which has continued since the announcement of President Robinson’s leave of absence on Jan. 26.
The announcement was unintendedly released to certain employees, according to MCCD chancellor Steven Gonzalez.
“You may have recently received a message from me regarding the leadership transition at Mesa. This was not intended for all employees and was intended only for the Board members. I apologize that this information was inadvertently shared in this manner,” said the email by Gonzalez on Jan. 26.
At the time of the announcement, The Mesa Legend reached out to Zimmer to get more information from the Maricopa Community Colleges District.
On Feb. 1, six days following the announcement of Robinson’s leave, it was announced to employees that Britt had accepted the resignation of Mary Driessen, who had been serving as the Vice President of Administrative Services.
The Mesa Legend received an email response from Heather Carter, senior vice chancellor of external affairs for MCCD, on Feb. 7.
The Mesa Legend was declined an additional in person interview request.
“While we are not able to accommodate an in-person interview at this time, we are willing to accept any additional questions you have via email,” replied Carter via email.
Follow up questions regarding the standard operating procedure and possible pattern of administrative turnover sent to Carter via email were never responded to.
Despite the lack of details regarding administrative decisions throughout the semester, Britt’s recent message to employees regarding the AVP of IT position reads, “We are committed to transparency and open communication as we navigate these changes together.”
Correction, 4/17/2024: This article was updated to correct an error that mistated Tammy Robinson was on administrative leave, instead of a leave of absence.
