Miles won't seek permanent chancellor's post at PCC

Pima Community College interim Chancellor Suzanne Miles announced Friday that she would remain in her position until a permanent leader is hired, and volunteered to take a $91,000 pay cut in the meantime.

Miles won't seek the permanent position, she said.

Miles served as provost at PCC until she was appointed interim chancellor Feb. 29 following the departure of Roy Flores. Flores was chancellor for about nine years until stepping down for health reasons.

Miles said that the college is still paying Flores' contract.

"I took a pay cut because it doesn't seem right to be paying two salaries," she said.

Miles also said the move was motivated by her desire to improve PCC's standing in the community.

A national search for a permanent chancellor will begin in the coming weeks, and Miles will not apply for the job, she said.

"We want everyone to know that things will go on as usual through this transition," she said.

Miles chose not to seek the permanent position because her career plan was to serve as a provost and in closer proximity to faculty and students.

Miles provost position at PCC was filled by Charlotte Fuggett, who president of the college's East Campus.

After the search, both women want to return to their previous posts.

Fuggett said the search will begin with a request for proposals for a consultancy contract to seek the next chancellor. She said it usually takes a few months to hire the consultant.

Once the search is underway, the community can expect a process lasting about six months where the community, the University of Arizona, K-12 educators and administrators, and others will weigh in.

The college might not have a new chancellor until after June 2013, said PCC spokesman C.J. Karamargin.