Job description

The District Board of Governors of Mohave College invites nominations and applications for the position of President.

About Mohave College

Mohave College is an institution with a 54-year legacy of serving the educational and workforce needs of western Arizona and the surrounding tri-state region. Formerly known as Mohave Community College, the institution recently rebranded to reflect its expanded mission and growing academic offerings, including the introduction of bachelor’s degrees beginning in Fall 2026.

Rooted in a commitment to accessibility and affordability, Mohave College offers more than 60 degree and certificate programs at an in-state tuition rate of less than $100 per credit hour. Students can gain valuable career-focused training in a wide range of health professions and skilled trades, build a strong academic foundation for transfer to four-year institutions, and benefit from customized non-credit programs and small business support services.

In recent years, the college has made bold investments in infrastructure and student engagement, spurred by the sunsetting 2020-2026 Strategic Plan, which focused on enrollment, academic program development, community partnerships, student’s success, and maximizing organizational capacity. It established the region’s first Advanced Manufacturing Training Center to meet the growing demand for skilled labor and launched its first on-campus housing to support student life and retention. Additionally, the introduction of NJCAA men’s and women’s soccer programs has enhanced campus spirit and community involvement.

The college has an unduplicated credit headcount of 6,200 student, 81% of which are part-time. Seventy percent of Mohave’s students are first-generation. The College also serves 2,000 non-credit students supporting lifelong learning, professional development, and regional economic growth. The College was designated a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) in December 2022. At Mohave College, students are welcomed into a caring community where belonging is nurtured and rewarding relationships are built with dedicated faculty and staff who are committed to their success. Whether learning on campus or online, students benefit from personalized support services designed to meet them where they are.

Mohave College operates four campuses-in Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City, and Colorado City-serving a geographically diverse student population from Arizona, as well as the bordering states of California, Nevada, and Utah. With a forward-looking Facilities Master Plan and a strategic focus on workforce development, academic excellence, and community engagement, Mohave College continues to evolve as a vital educational and economic engine for the region.

Mission

Mohave College serves our communities, empowering students to succeed through innovative pathways and quality education.

Role of the President

The President serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the college and reports directly to the five-member, elected Board of Trustees. The President has strategic and day-to-day operational responsibility for the College and is the face and the voice of Mohave College. The next President of Mohave College will be an inspirational, visible, transparent, bold, and visionary leader who, while respecting the rich history of Mohave College, is committed to building trust and leading the College in addressing the following opportunities and challenges:

Increase Enrollment and Advance Student Success

• Strengthen enrollment, retention, and completion through responsive operations, program alignment, and balanced affordability.
• Implement innovative recruitment and outreach strategies to appeal to a broader range of students, both credit and non-credit, and to demonstrate the value of post-secondary education.
• Provide students with academic advising, career counseling, tutoring, and mental health resources to promote well-being, certificate and degree completion, successful transfer to four-year institutions, and long-term professional growth.
• Remove barriers and promote student persistence by expanding access to financial aid, scholarships, childcare, evening classes, housing, and other resources.
• Create a supportive campus environment that empowers students, values nontraditional learners, and provides opportunities for engagement and connection.
• Advance the college’s mission by using education as a driving force of change to improve the lives of its students and communities.

Support College Growth, Academic Excellence, and Workforce Development

• Support the development, implementation, and recruitment of faculty for baccalaureate offerings to increase access and academic opportunity.
• Recruit and retain qualified faculty/staff to support institutional growth and student access and success.
• Enhance facilities and infrastructure, both physical and technological, to ensure safe, accessible, and modern learning and working environments for students, faculty, and staff.
• Strengthen affordability while ensuring financial sustainability.
• Integrate artificial intelligence and technological innovation to streamline operations and strengthen the learning environment.
• Expand digital access and flexible learning opportunities to promote accessibility for students and faculty, especially in rural areas.
• Advance innovative academic and workforce programs that align with Mohave County’s growth, meet regional economic demands, and create meaningful impact for students, employers, and the community.
• Enrich community engagement through partnerships with K-12, employers, local governments, and county stakeholders, while creating opportunities for students and graduates to contribute to the region’s growth.
• Further strategic partnerships with business and industry and respond to changing workforce needs to ensure the viability of Mohave College students in the job market upon program completion.
• Connect students with internships, apprenticeships, and transfer opportunities that support career readiness and professional growth.
• Integrate the college into the community by promoting it as a hub for civic, cultural, and regional engagement.
• Foster a culture of academic rigor, innovation, and responsible use of artificial intelligence that strengthens programs and engages both students and faculty in advancing knowledge and workforce readiness.

Enhance Shared Governance

• Strengthen shared governance and accountability at all levels to ensure ethical, collaborative, transparent, and unbiased decision-making.
• Cultivate a culture that invests in, retains, and attracts dedicated and talented employees, while building strong internal relationships and supporting professional growth.
• Motivate and inspire faculty, staff, and administrators to foster a positive, welcoming, and cohesive workplace culture.

Prioritize Sound Financial Management

• Provide exemplary stewardship of financial resources while navigating tight budgets and potential reductions in federal and state funding.
• Increase funding through strategic partnerships, employer-funded training, alumni engagement, community outreach, grant sourcing, and innovative fundraising initiatives.
• Maintain a forward-looking vision that safeguards financial stability, attracts and supports high quality employees, and preserves resources for future generations.

Lead Mohave College Advocacy Efforts

• Navigate the complex political, legal, and cultural landscape by building strategic relationships, advocating effectively for public education, and advancing the College’s mission.
• Explore, advocate for, and implement financial aid programs and resources to ensure students receive support and access to an affordable education.
• Serve as an authentic champion of the Mohave community, promoting partnerships throughout the large geographic area and four unique campus communities that the college serves.
• Support the expansion of Mohave College’s marketing efforts to ensure visibility and awareness of the college’s value to the community.

Characteristics and Skill Sets of the President

• A community-minded, student-centered leader who understands student needs and guides the college in directions that best serve its students, employees, and the community.
• An approachable and visible leader who actively engages with students, faculty, and staff, encourages broad participation, and maintains strong ties with the community.
• An ethical and trustworthy leader who demonstrates transparency, honesty, and integrity, ensures fairness and impartiality across all departments, and holds themself and others accountable.
• An exceptional listener, communicator, and collaborator who builds strong internal and external relationships, fosters trust, and responds with empathy and authenticity to students, faculty, staff, administrators, and the community.
• A visionary, forward-thinking, and open-minded leader who drives college growth and innovation; anticipates workforce, demographic, and technological shifts; aligns academic and workforce programs with community and business needs; and translates ideas into actionable strategies.
• A mission-driven and servant leader who uplifts students, staff, and the wider community and ensures all stakeholders are valued and supported; a leader who supports professional growth and ensures employees have the resources and recognition they need to succeed.
• A strategic and effective decision-maker who makes informed, creative, and pragmatic choices to advance institutional goals, demonstrating firm, stable, and straightforward leadership.
• A fiscally responsible leader who combines financial expertise with prudent stewardship, aligning budgeting and fundraising decisions with the college’s mission and priorities.
• An innovative, technology-forward leader who integrates technology to enhance college operations and the student experience.
• A data-informed leader who leverages data for strategic decision-making, ensuring evidence-based choices which align with institutional priorities.
• A culturally competent and well-rounded leader who understands the realities of rural and nontraditional students, values regional demographics, and demonstrates sensitivity to different life experiences.

Required and Preferred Qualifications

Required

• An earned master’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Progressive leadership experience with five or more years of senior-level executive experience in higher education, preferably in a community college setting.
• Record of high integrity and energy, with a record of building successful teams, inside and outside of the organization.

Preferred

• An earned doctorate degree from an accredited college or university
• Strong academic experience in either teaching, counseling, and/or other faculty experience.
• Experience in and desire to lead a community college serving rural communities.
• Politically astute with expertise in building and sustaining strategic partnerships with local and state agencies, business and industry leaders, foundations, and community organizations to expand educational opportunities.
• A leader with demonstrated experience in leading the development and implementation of planning efforts such as strategic, academic, and facility master plans.

Salary and Benefits

Salary Range: $250,000 to $280,000

Mohave College offers a competitive benefit package.

Arizona State Retirement System

How to apply

This is a confidential search process. To ensure full consideration, application materials should be received no later than January 13, 2026. The position will remain open until it is filled.

To apply go to http://www.acctsearches.org and upload your documents.

Candidates will need to have the following information or materials available to complete the application:

1. A letter of application (not to exceed five pages) that succinctly addresses the opportunities and challenges identified in the Position Profile and demonstrates how the candidate’s experience and professional qualifications prepare them to serve as the President of Mohave College.

2. A current resume including an email address and cellular telephone number.

3. A list of eight references: example, two to three supervisors, two to three direct reports, and two to three faculty and/or staff members from current and former institutions.

For additional information, nominations, or confidential inquiries please contact: Debbie DiThomas, Ed.D., ACCT Search Consultant, at [email protected] or (951) 961-6533.