Chief of Staff
Dr. Cathleen Hernandez is an executive professional with over 20 years of experience in the Maricopa Community Colleges system spanning academic affairs, grants development, and institutional effectiveness.
With expertise in strategic planning, change management, and stakeholder engagement, Dr. Hernandez supports strategic and operational initiatives in the Office of the Chancellor, where she leads the Enterprise Performance Office and facilitates enhanced relations, communication, and improved processes in support of the Maricopa Community Colleges Governing Board.
Prior to her current role, she served as the Associate Vice President of Strategy, Research, & Institutional Effectiveness at GateWay Community College, where she led efforts that improved processes and advanced the use of data in decision-making. During her tenure at GateWay, she served as the Accreditation Liaison Officer to the Higher Learning Commission, successfully leading multiple college peer review visits, including the college’s 10 year reaffirmation visit in December 2019, and was instrumental in the implementation of a new operational planning framework.
Dr. Hernandez earned her doctorate in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University. Her research focused on the use of human development theories implemented in the practice of academic advising. She earned her master’s degree in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University and bachelor’s degree in business management from Western International University.
Cathy is a native Phoenician and proud alumna of Phoenix College with an associate degree in legal studies.