CCCS Chancellor Garcia announces retirement
(COLORADO) — Pikes Peak State College announced on Wednesday, Jan. 19, that Colorado Community College System (CCCS) Chancellor Joe Garcia will be retiring in June.
Garcia's leadership journey began at Pikes Peak State College (PPSC), where he served as President from 2001 to 2006. PPSC said that Garcia's commitment to increasing access to education, strengthening workforce partnerships, and supporting student populations laid the foundation for the college's continued success.
'I think that he was one of, if not the greatest, educators in our state in terms of the impact of our institutions,' said PPSC President Lance Bolton. 'He brought a passion for our schools to the legislature and created opportunities for our low-income students that previously had not been available to them.'
Garcia continued his work at Colorado State University Pueblo, where he served as Colorado's Lieutenant Governor, and became Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education. where he advocated for college affordability and student success at the state level.
In 2018, Garcia returned to CCCS as Chancellor where he currently oversees 13 colleges and serves more than 124,000 students annually. His tenure brought initiatives like Colorado Online and the Bridge to Bachelor's program. He also played a role in hiring 11 of 13 CCCS's current college presidents.
'I started my higher education leadership career within CCCS, and it's incredibly meaningful to conclude it here,' said Community colleges are the most powerful engines of economic opportunity, and I am proud to have spent my career ensuring that all students—regardless of background—can access the education and training they need to succeed.'
To ensure a smooth transition, the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education intends to appoint Diane Duffy, CCS Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Strategy Officer, as Interim Chancellor following Garcia's retirement. His retirement is effective on June 30, 2025.
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