Introducing Our Staff

• Margaret E. McConnel, Interim General Counsel
• Ingrid Austin, Administrative Assistant
• Susan Chiara, Administrative Assistant
• Diana Davidson, Assistant to General Counsel
• Christina Emmons, Administrative Assistant
• Richard Galván, Assistant General Counsel
• Christine Hall, Director, Equal Employment Opportunity and Recruitment
• Sheri Klein, Administrative Assistant
• Sarah Meland, Risk Analyst
• Teresa Toney, Manager, Maricopa Governance
• Ruth Unks, Risk Manager
• Pete Kushibab, retired General Counsel 1995-2009
• Janice Bradshaw, retired General Counsel 1974-1999

Margaret E. McConnell

Maggie McConnell, who joined the MCCCD Legal Services Department in September 1997, specializes in construction and contract law. She is responsible for reviewing and signing all contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and clinical agreements for the Maricopa Community Colleges.

After working as a partner at the Phoenix law firm of Lewis and Roca, she left to become State Procurement Administrator for the State of Arizona. More recently, Maggie consulted with public entities, public and private lawyers, and vendors on policy and legal issues relating to state and local government procurement.

She is an active member of the Public Contract Law Section of the American Bar Association and in 1996 received its Distinguished Service Award.

A native of Tucson, Maggie received both her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Arizona.

Direct Line: 480.731.8888
E-mail: margaret.mcconnell@domail.maricopa.edu
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Ingrid Austin

Ingrid joined the Legal Services Department in 2007, previously working for GateWay Community College since 2004.  She has spent the past 9 years working in higher education, including at Arizona State University and the University of Phoenix in the area of student services.

Ingrid’s primary responsibility is to provide administrative support to Maggie McConnell. She is responsible for processing over 2,000 contracts and agreements per year including intergovernmental agreements, clinical agreements, leases, and dual enrollment.

Ingrid has a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Education Technology and Communication from Arizona State University, as well as a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

Direct Line: 480.731.8881
E-mail: ingrid.austin@domail.maricopa.edu
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Susan Chiara

Susan Chiara has been an employee of the District Office for 15 years. Her previous experiences include working with Think Tank and the National Center for Teacher Education.

Susan's primary responsibilities in the Legal Services Department will be to assist Ruth Unks with Risk Management programs, including the Maricopa Integrated Risk Assessment (MIRA) project, insurance certificates, claims administration, and insurance policy administration.

A native of Wisconsin, Susan earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Lakeland College.

Direct Line: 480.731.8157
E-mail: susan.chiara@domail.maricopa.edu
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Diana Davidson

Diana Davidson has been with the Legal Services Department since 1989, serving as Assistant to the General Counsel and the Risk Manager.

Her responsibilities include a broad range of legal assisting to the General Counsel, maintenance of budget and office management systems, scheduling, and document drafting.

An Ohio native, Diana attended North Harris College in Texas and Scottsdale Community College in Arizona.

Direct Line: 480.731.8877
E-mail: diana.davidson@domail.maricopa.edu
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Christina (Tina) Emmons

Tina joined the Legal Services Department in 2008, having worked with the Maricopa Community Colleges for 16 years; three years at Paradise Valley Community College and 13 years with the Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction (MCLI).

Tina's primary responsibility is to provide administrative support to the area of Public Stewardship, which includes Maricopa Governance, Ombuds Services, and Public Records review and release. She also conducts web maintenance, research, publication layout and design, and trend monitoring.

Tina has a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from Arizona State University and a Master of Education degree in Counseling-Human Relations from Northern Arizona University.

Direct Line: 480.731.8882
E-mail: tina.emmons@domail.maricopa.edu
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Richard Galván

Richard Galván joins the MCCCD Legal Staff with more than 33 years of legal experience.  He specializes in employment and civil rights law.

His legal career began as an attorney with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in Washington, D.C.  Later, he became the District Counsel for the Phoenix District Office of the EEOC.  He then spent the next 29 years in private practice in Phoenix where his practice focused primarily on employment law.

A Vietnam War Veteran, he received his undergraduate degree in economics from Utica College of Syracuse University and his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

Direct Line: 480.731.8875
E-mail: richard.galvan@domail.maricopa.edu
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Christine C. Iijima Hall

Dr. Hall became the Director of Equal Employment Opportunity and Recruitment for the Maricopa Community College District in August 2008.  For eight years, she was District Director of Employment and Recruitment for the District.  Prior to this position, she was the Senior Associate Dean of Instruction at Glendale Community College (1998-2000).

From 1989-1996, Dr. Hall was the Associate Vice Provost of Academic Affairs at Arizona State University West.  From 1987-1989, she was the Director of Ethnic Minority Affairs for the American Psychological Association in Washington, D.C

Dr. Hall received her Ph.D. in social psychology from UCLA.

She was the first female president of Asian American Psychological Association from 1995-1997.  She is a licensed psychologist in Arizona and California. 

Christine has authored of numerous books chapters and journal articles on multiracial identity, ethnic women and body image, and the need for psychology to diversify its profession in teaching, research and practice.  She appears on television, radio and in magazines on the topic of diversity.

She has received numerous awards including the Outstanding Career Contribution Award for the Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues, Girl Scouts’ World of People Award, YWCA Tribute to Women Award and Distinguished Leader for Women in Psychology.  She was outstanding alumna of the American Psychological Association's Minority Fellowship Program, Black Board of Directors and Cal State University at Long Beach.  She is also listed as one of the 500 Most Influential Asian Americans by Avenue Asia Magazine.

Direct Line: 480.731.8477
E-mail: christine.hall@domail.maricopa.edu
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Sheri Klein

Sheri Joined the Legal Services Department in 2008, as Administrative Assistant to Richard Galván, the Assistant General Counsel who specializes in employment law. Prior to that, she spent nearly five years working with Rio Salado College faculty.

Sheri's primary responsibilities in the department are aiding Mr. Galván in the investigation of, and response to, employment discrimination charges filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other agencies.

A Phoenix native, Sheri attended both the University of Arizona and Arizona State University. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from ASU.

Direct Line: 480.731.8876
E-mail: sheri.klein@domail.maricopa.edu
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Sarah Meland

Sarah Meland joined the Legal Department in December 2006. As Risk Analyst, Sarah is responsible for the review and processing of claims, research, trend reporting, and assisting with the development of risk control policy and training materials/procedures.

Prior to joining the Legal Department, Sarah worked at the District Office for nearly two years in the Arizona Small Business Development Center Network as Project Manager.

Originally from Minneapolis, Sarah earned her Bachelor's Degree at the University of Minnesota. Her past experience includes Section 8 housing management, consulting for insurance receiverships, document management, and extensive world travel in various consulting capacities.

Direct Line: 480.731.8698
E-mail: sarah.meland@domail.maricopa.edu
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Teresa Toney

As Manager of the Office of Public Stewardship, Teresa oversees the areas of Maricopa Governance, Public Records Disclosures, Ombuds Services for citizens and employees, and the 24/7 concern hotline. She also plans, evaluates, and administers the overall evaluation of Maricopa’s Governance system. This includes analyzing and transferring former Governing Board policies into administrative regulation, as well as coordinating annual monitoring reports of the Governing Board’s Outcomes.

In the area of Ombuds Services, Teresa serves as a liaison for members of the internal and external communities who wish to present concerns regarding the Maricopa County Community College District. She also conducts training in the area of public records release and retention.

Teresa joined the Legal Services Department in 1990 and previously served as EEO/AA Manager. She received a Bachelors of Science degree in Marketing and Master of Public Administration degree from Arizona State University.

Direct Line: 480.731.8880
E-mail: teresa.toney@domail.maricopa.edu
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Ruth Unks

As Risk Manager, Ruth is responsible for the administration of the District's risk management program. She is a resource to the District on insurance coverages, risk-control programs, and insurance language for contracts. Ruth recently accepted the assignment of project leader for the Maricopa Integrated Risk Assessment (MIRA), an enterprise risk management project championed by the District's Chancellor.

Before joining the District, Ruth was executive director of the Valley Schools Insurance Trust and the Valley Schools Workers' Compensation Pool. Ruth was also Risk Manager for the City of Tempe and the City of Coconut Creek, Florida.

Ruth has earned the Associate in Risk Management ("ARM") designation. She has a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Eastern Michigan University. Ruth is currently serving as national Past President for the Public Risk Management Association ("PRIMA").

Direct Line: 480.731.8879
E-mail: ruth.unks@domail.maricopa.edu
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