Mesa Community College Executive Vice President, Dr. Lori Berquam, was named MCC interim president, effective Feb. 1, 2020. Berquam’s more than 30 years of leadership experience in higher education includes vice provost for Student Life at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Recently she completed a prestigious fellowship through the American Council on Education, serving in the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Arizona.

In January, Dr. Berquam met with the MCC Alumni Advisory Board where she shared her new 4Hs Initiative (Head. Heart. Hands. Health.), which offers specific ways to achieve the student success goals of Guided Pathways.

The appointment of Dr. Berquam was made by Dr. Steven Gonzales, interim chancellor of the Maricopa County Community College District, after meeting with stakeholders and leaders from the college’s shared governance structure.

“Dr. Berquam’s extensive leadership experience coupled with the support she has earned from college leadership, students and employees for advancing key initiatives, namely student success, makes her a strong and very logical choice as MCC’s interim president,” said Dr. Gonzales.

Dr. Rich Haney, who served as MCC president since July 2018, submitted his resignation early in January. Dr. Gonzales noted, “While Dr. Haney was not with our system long, his impact was significant. We will miss his leadership, passion to serve our students and his friendship.”