PHOENIX, AZ -- Monday, Maricopa County School Superintendent Steve Watson appointed Augustine P. Bartning to the Maricopa County Community College District Governing Board. Bartning fills the vacancy that occurred with the resignation of Alfredo Gutierrez on January 26.

 

In accordance with A.R.S. § 15-1441, the Maricopa County School Superintendent has statutory authority to appoint qualified individuals to fill vacancies on the MCCCD governing board or, if appropriate with the governing board’s approval, leave the seat vacant until the next regular election for governing board.

 

In making this important appointment, Superintendent Watson gave careful and extensive consideration to individuals who are active professionals in their community, who are effective and efficient leaders and who understand the student population of Maricopa’s community college system.

 

Augustine “Auggie” Bartning will serve through this November when state law requires that an election be held to fulfill the term ending in December 2020. Bartning brings both business and nonprofit experience to the governing board. He is a real estate broker with Mojica & Associates and serves on the board of directors of Quiñcea, a Phoenix-based social enterprise initiative. He is a graduate of Georgetown University and former director of institutional and international strategies at Keeling and Associates.

 

“I very much look forward to the opportunity of serving a community that gave me so much growing up. I especially would like to thank Alfredo Gutierrez, not only for his service to Maricopa Community Colleges, but also for his more than five decades of public service as a champion for underserved communities. While his legendary status cannot be replaced, I will continue to work tirelessly for underserved populations,” Bartning said on his predecessor. “I embrace my new role as an advocate for the Maricopa Community College system and hope to show our broader community the great progress made and offer the Board a unique perspective as we shape future potential.”

 

Superintendent Watson stated, “Augustine Bartning not only brings new energy and youth to the governing board but also tangible professional experience and leadership as a role model in the community.”

 

“Auggie is the right person to help lead our world-class community college system that serves a growing and diverse student population,” he continued.

 

In 1962, the Arizona Legislature and Maricopa County voters approved the establishment of the Maricopa County Junior College District. Since then, the district has grown to serve over 10 campuses with an annual district enrollment averaging more than 200,000 students.

 

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For more information on the governing board appointment process, contact Shane Wikfors at (602) 885-0499.