In alphabetical order, the finalists are:
Jennifer Eccles, Ph.D., MSN, M.Ed., RN
Dr. Jennifer Eccles is the System Director of Nursing Initiatives in Minnesota, liaising with 62 nursing programs encompassing 16,000 full-time equivalent students in the state system of 37 colleges and universities. She works with community, industry, government, and national partners to support workforce initiatives in Minnesota. Jennifer provides collaborative visionary leadership to pioneer, develop, and execute highly effective programs and services that meet workforce demands, foster education, achieve equity, empower people, and change lives.
Read full bio here.
Jack Kahn, Ph.D.
In the last several years, Jack served as the Dean for Social and Behavioral Sciences and then the Assistant Superintendent/ Vice President of Instruction at Palomar College. In these roles, Jack worked with his teams to help expand the impact of LatinX/Hispanic outreach, formed numerous community and industry partnerships, began Middle College programs, launched Guided Pathways, and several other initiatives. One of his most innovative projects has been working with colleagues at Camp Pendleton and Marine University to create and expand an apprenticeship to convert Marine training to Community College curriculum.
Read full bio here.
Mark Lausch, Ed.D., MPH
In July 2020 Mark took on the position of Vice President for Academic Affairs at SUNY Nassau Community College, located in Garden City, NY. In this role, he also serves as the Accreditation Liaison Officer to the Middles States Commission on Higher Education and oversees all operations relative to the strategic plan and its supporting plans. Dr. Lausch significantly expanded Guided Pathways operations infusing it into all student-facing and student supporting areas of the college.
Read full bio here.
Eric Leshinskie, Ed.D., M.Ed.
Dr. Eric Leshinskie is the Interim Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost of the Maricopa County Community College District, where he oversees Academic and Student Affairs; Strategic Planning and Institutional Effectiveness; Business Services; Human Resources; Information Technology Services; and the Enterprise Performance Office. Prior to serving in his current role, Dr. Leshinskie was the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC), where he collaborated with faculty and staff to advance PVCC’s mission of student success.
Read full bio here.
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Media Contact: Dasi Danzig, (480) 268-6766, dasi.danzig@domail.maricopa.edu
About Maricopa Community Colleges
The Maricopa Community College District includes 10 regionally-accredited colleges – Chandler-Gilbert, Estrella Mountain, GateWay, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Rio Salado, Scottsdale, and South Mountain – and the Maricopa Corporate College, serving more than 200,000 students with two-year degrees, certificates, and university transfer programs.
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