CAC president retires after 40 years

After four decades of service to Central Arizona College, its students and the residents of Pinal County, President and CEO Dennis Jenkins will step down from his position effective Jan. 3.

“I announce my retirement as president/CEO of CAC effective the end of the day on Jan. 3, 2012,” Jenkins stated. “Beginning (Wednesday) through Jan. 3, I will use accumulated leave.”

Jenkins said it has been a tremendous 40 years at CAC.

“I am very proud of the accomplishments and progress at CAC and the fact it is a great asset to Pinal County,” he said. “I leave with my head high for putting CAC in a better place. I want to thank the Governing Board and the communities across the county for their continuous support of me and CAC.”

In a joint statement, CAC’s Governing Board said it was grateful to Jenkins for his 40 years of service to the college.

The board cited his numerous stellar accomplishments under his leadership, including passage of the general bond for the expansion of current CAC locations and the building of two new campuses in the city of Maricopa and San Tan Valley.

The board also lauded Jenkins’s ability to keep CAC financially sound in a time when many community colleges are on less solid financial footing. Jenkins’ work ethic has been unparalleled, his loyalty and dedication are beyond reproach, and his decisions and the resulting actions have always been in the best interest of CAC.

The CAC Governing Board held a special meeting yesterday to decide on a plan for temporary leadership in preparation for a nationwide search for a new president.