Staff Reports | Community Updates
Maricopa Community Colleges is recognizing the leadership and contributions of Chancellor Dr. Steven R. Gonzales as he concludes his tenure leading the 10-college system.
Dr. Gonzales was appointed interim chancellor on Jan. 25, 2020, and was named permanent chancellor on Sept. 27, 2022. Over the course of both appointments, he served the district for 2,349 days.
A native of Coolidge, Arizona, Dr. Gonzales began his career as a high school math teacher and wrestling coach before entering higher education at Central Arizona College. During his 15 years there, he served as a developmental education specialist, math faculty member and administrator while earning master’s and doctoral degrees.
Dr. Gonzales joined Maricopa Community Colleges in 2013 as president of GateWay Community College. Throughout his leadership career, he emphasized student success, workforce development and educational access, according to a press release.
One of the system’s notable initiatives during Dr. Gonzales’ tenure was the launch of what Maricopa Community Colleges describes as the nation’s first community college certificate and associate degree programs in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Developed in partnership with Intel and the Arizona Commerce Authority, the programs began at Chandler-Gilbert Community College in 2020 and later expanded to Estrella Mountain Community College.
Arizona’s authorization of community college bachelor’s degrees in 2021 also marked a significant milestone during Dr. Gonzales’ leadership. Maricopa Community Colleges became the first community college system in Arizona to receive Higher Learning Commission approval to offer seven bachelor’s degrees, all of which launched in 2023.
“Our seven bachelor’s degree programs will provide affordability, flexibility, and career-focused subject matter to prepare our students to enter a number of high-demand professions,” Dr. Gonzales said.
Enrollment in the bachelor’s degree programs grew from more than 2,000 students in the first year to more than 10,000 students today across 11 degree offerings. More than 600 bachelor’s degrees have been awarded, including more than 300 graduates during the most recent commencement season.
Dr. Gonzales also played a role in advancing workforce development initiatives. Maricopa Community Colleges was selected by the Arizona Commerce Authority to lead two Future48 Workforce Accelerators. The first, a $6 million aerospace and defense training facility at Chandler-Gilbert Community College’s Williams Campus, is scheduled to open this fall. A second accelerator focused on semiconductor manufacturing is planned for GateWay Community College’s Central City campus in 2027.
Under Dr. Gonzales’ leadership, the college system recorded 12 consecutive semesters of enrollment growth. Tuition has remained unchanged for four consecutive years, and the system reports that 93% of students graduate without student loan debt.
Philanthropic support also increased during his tenure. Maricopa Community Colleges recently received a multiyear $16 million grant from Arnold Ventures, the largest single investment in the system’s history. The funding supports Commit2Completion, a student success initiative modeled after the City University of New York’s Accelerated Study in Associate Programs.
Dr. Gonzales also championed the Maricopa Promise Program, which helps students access higher education through scholarships and support services. More than 900 students participated in the program’s inaugural cohort in fall 2025. He and his wife, Desiree Gonzales, established The Steven and Desiree Gonzales Legacy Fund through the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation to support first-generation college students.
In his final report to the Governing Board on June 23, 2026, Dr. Gonzales reflected on his time with the institution.
“I leave with deep gratitude for your trust, your collaboration, and your unwavering belief in the mission of our colleges. While leadership changes, the values that define Maricopa: service, innovation, inclusion, and student success will continue to guide this remarkable institution. I have every confidence that the best days for Maricopa are still ahead. I want to thank you for the privilege of serving alongside you. It has been one of the greatest honors of my career, and I will always be proud to have been part of the Maricopa family,” Dr. Gonzales said.
