Marielena DeSanctis, currently president of the Community College of Denver, has been named the sole finalist to lead Colorado’s public community colleges as the next chancellor of the Colorado Community College System (CCCS).
This announcement comes after Joe Garcia, the current chancellor, declared his retirement in February, prompting a nationwide search for his successor.
The board members of CCCS recognized DeSanctis’s impressive 26-year career in education, highlighting her strength in leadership, collaboration, and commitment to enhancing postsecondary education and workforce training in Colorado.
Board chair Landon Mascareñaz praised DeSanctis for her extensive experience across various sectors, including K-12 public education, the private sector, and higher education.
“She emerged from a highly accomplished pool of national and local candidates,” Mascareñaz stated, expressing confidence in DeSanctis’s vision and ability to propel CCCS into the future.
Her track record of inclusive excellence, innovative approaches, and successful initiatives have inspired the board, who believe she will be a transformative leader for the system.
DeSanctis has been at the helm of the Community College of Denver since 2021 and has taken on significant roles in various educational boards, including serving as co-chair of the National Academies of Sciences and as a board member of both the Downtown Denver Partnership and the Colorado Education Initiative.
Just recently, she joined the Colorado Business Roundtable Board of Directors, a group focused on tackling economic challenges across the state.
The CCCS highlighted her remarkable efforts in promoting student success, fostering workforce-driven innovations, and strengthening partnerships within the Denver metro area.
Her initiatives have led to increased enrollment, the creation of new career-aligned programs, and expanded concurrent enrollment opportunities at the Community College of Denver.
Furthermore, under her leadership, the college has successfully secured grants and philanthropic investments aimed at developing holistic student services and workforce-aligned academic paths.
DeSanctis has also been proactive in advancing legislation that expands high school diploma access through community colleges.
Governor Jared Polis commended DeSanctis on her selection as the sole finalist for the chancellor position, reiterating the vital role that community colleges play in providing opportunities for students and contributing to Colorado’s economy.
“Community colleges open doors to opportunity for students, save families thousands of dollars while teaching important skills, and are a pathway to fill in-demand, good-paying jobs,” Polis declared.
He expressed confidence that, under DeSanctis’s visionary leadership, Colorado’s community college system would flourish and enhance economic prospects for students.
Prior to her tenure in Denver, DeSanctis held an array of positions in both K-12 and higher education across Florida, including teaching roles, principal, assistant superintendent, and provost.
She began her career in the private sector after earning a degree in mechanical engineering, which she says has greatly influenced her collaborative approach in educational systems.
In her statement, DeSanctis reflected on the CCCS Strategic Plan, emphasizing her commitment to being a pathway to prosperity for every learner.
“Together with our colleges, communities, and business partners, we will accelerate economic mobility, expand career-connected learning, and transform the way Colorado experiences education and opportunity,” she stated.
A formal confirmation vote is expected during the board’s meeting in August, with DeSanctis anticipated to officially take on her new role in early fall.
If confirmed, she will make history as the first Latina to lead the Community College System in Colorado.
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