Colleen A. Smith, Ph.D., begins as CCC’s next president on Feb. 1. Courtesy photo
FLAGSTAFF — Colleen A. Smith, Ph.D., arrived to work today as the new permanent president of Coconino Community College.
“For me, it really is about the people,” Dr. Smith said of her desire to lead CCC. “Everyone I have met at Coconino Community College has shown a sincere concern for students and learning. CCC has a strong district governing board with dedicated members who bring varied life and work experiences to support the college. The opportunities I have had to interact with them have demonstrated that they truly care about the college and the communities in Coconino County. They are more than generous with their time and service to the college. I am enthusiastically looking forward to meeting more people, visiting our communities, and working alongside my colleagues to help strengthen Coconino Community College.”
Dr. Smith, who was District Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs for Collin College in McKinney, Texas, before coming to CCC, has served as a college President, a Vice President of Instruction, an Associate Dean and a Division Chair. Her extensive experience as a community college administrator and a CEO has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the complexity of higher education leadership. She also credits her years as a full-time faculty member at Western Wyoming Community College as playing an integral role in her passion for the mission of the community college, the students and communities served by that mission.
Dr. Smith earned her Ph.D. from Texas Woman’s University and both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Texas A&M Commerce (previously known as East Texas State University).
Dr. Smith replaces Dr. Leah L. Bornstein, who left the position July 1, 2015, after she accepted a position as President of Aims Community College in Greeley, Colorado. Veronica Hipolito, Dean of Student Services, was appointed to serve as Interim President until Dr. Smith’s arrival.
About Coconino Community College: Student success is the heart and purpose of Coconino Community College. CCC provides affordable tuition and a wide variety of certificates and degrees including career/technical programs with nearly 50 certificate programs and two-year associate degrees in various fields including nursing, fire science, law enforcement and business. The award-winning CCC2NAU program provides an innovative way to smooth a student’s path toward a bachelor’s degree at Northern Arizona University with tailored advisement and institutional collaboration, including access to amenities at NAU.
Since 1991, CCC has served residents across 18,000 square miles of Coconino County. CCC has helped create the region’s skilled workforce, which is improving overall health, safety and the economy in the region. Today, CCC serves more than 7,500 students per year with two campuses in Flagstaff.
CCC reaches out to the more rural portions of the County including Williams, the Grand Canyon/Tusayan, Page/Lake Powell, Fredonia, Tuba City and other remote areas on the Navajo, Hopi and Supai Tribal Lands. Instructional sites offer classes through online, in-person and Interactive Television classes to meet the needs of students in these rural and remote areas. Nearly 25 percent of CCC’s students are Native American learners.