Chandler, AZ (PRWEB) December 07, 2015
After nearly 17 years at the League, 10 years as President and CEO, Gerardo E. de los Santos, Ph.D., will be stepping down from his leadership role due to family health responsibilities.
In order to provide a smooth transition, Dr. de los Santos will continue to serve in his role through February 1, 2016.
The League, based in Chandler, Arizona, is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to catalyzing the community college movement by providing strategic insights and undertaking innovative work and research for the more than 800 institutions holding membership in its League Alliance.
“Leaving the League is the hardest decision I have had to make in my career, yet family health needs are top priority right now,” Dr. de los Santos said. “I thank the League Board, Representatives, and staff for their unyielding support.”
“We appreciate the exemplary leadership that Gerardo has provided the League for Innovation in the Community College for the past 17 years,” said Dr. Jill Wakefield, chair of the League’s board of directors and Chancellor of Seattle Colleges.
“I am delighted that Dr. Rufus Glasper, Chancellor, Maricopa Community Colleges, is the League’s in-coming President and CEO. He is a widely respected leader in higher education, a dear friend and colleague, and has served the League extremely well in his role as a Board member,” said de los Santos.
“Dr. Glasper is a long-standing member of the League board and we are grateful that he will be able to step in and provide experience with the organization and veteran leadership immediately upon his assuming the role as CEO,” Wakefield added.
Dr. de los Santos earned an A.A. degree from Mesa Community College in Arizona, subsequently transferring to the University of California at Berkeley, where he earned a B.A. in Rhetoric. He earned his master’s degree in English from Arizona State University, where he was honored as a Graduate Regents Fellow. Dr. de los Santos received his Ph.D. in Educational Administration from The University of Texas at Austin, where he was named a Distinguished Graduate.
Dr. de los Santos has represented community colleges at the White House on multiple occasions and has authored and co-authored over 45 higher education publications focusing on issues including innovation and practice, leadership development, key trends in community colleges, alternative funding, and technology and STEM advancements in community colleges. He serves on over 14 national advisory, foundation, and editorial boards, including the ETS Community College Advisory Council; the Community College Research Center’s Advisory Board, Columbia University; the National American University Community College Advisory Board; and the Community College Survey of Student Engagement Advisory Board.
While the recipient of many awards and honors, Dr. de los Santos has been recognized with the International Leadership Award from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development, as well as multiple honorary degrees.
About the League for Innovation in the Community College
The League for Innovation in the Community College is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to catalyzing the community college movement. The League hosts conferences and institutes, develops print and digital resources, conducts research, and leads projects and initiatives with more than 800 member colleges, 160 corporate partners, and a host of other government and nonprofit agencies in a continuing effort to make a positive difference for students and communities. Information about the League and its activities is available at http://www.league.org.
About Maricopa Community Colleges
The Maricopa Community Colleges includes 10 colleges—Chandler-Gilbert, Estrella Mountain, GateWay, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Rio Salado, Scottsdale, and South Mountain. It also includes the Maricopa Skill Center, Southwest Skill Center, the Maricopa Corporate College, and several satellite campuses and business/industry, technical, and customized training institutes. The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.