NOMINEE REQUIRING SENATE CONFIRMATION
EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENT BACKGROUND SUMMARY
NOMINEE: Jeffrey L. Gearhart
POSITION: Private Postsecondary Institution (Vocational) Member of the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education (ACPE)
REPLACING: Vacant
APPOINTING GOVERNOR: Janice K. Brewer
DATE OF APPOINTMENT: April 14, 2009
TERM ENDS: January 21, 2013
FUNCTION OF THE ACPE:
Pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-1851, the ACPE reviews and recommends higher education policies, administers financial aid programs such as the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP), the Private Postsecondary Education Student Financial Assistance Program (PFAP), and the Postsecondary Education Grant (PEG) and also provides a forum for public and private postsecondary education institutions and their stakeholders to discuss issues of mutual interest.
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR POSITION:
The 16-member ACPE consists of 14 gubernatorial appointments that serve four-year terms, in addition to the Executive Directors of the Arizona Board of Regents and the State Board for Private Postsecondary Education, who are not eligible to vote on any review of a postsecondary institution. To be eligible for this position, the appointee must hold a senior executive or managerial position in a private postsecondary institution of higher education that is licensed under Title 32, Chapter 30, that is located in this state, that offers vocational education programs and that is accredited by a national accreditation agency approved by the United States Department of Education (A.R.S. § 15-1851).
CURRENT MEMBERSHIP AND TERM EXPIRATIONS:
Appointed Members Position Term Expiration
Jeffrey Gearhart* Private Postsecondary, 1/21/2013
Vocational with National Accreditation
Debra Duvall High School Education System 1/24/2011
Timothy Dosemagen* Private Postsecondary, 1/17/2011
Vocational with National Accreditation
Ali Farhang Commerce/Industry 1/17/2011
Teena Olszewski Public University 1/17/2011
William J. Pepicello Private Postsecondary Baccalaureate Degree 1/17/2011
with Regional Accreditation
Steven M. Corey Private Postsecondary Baccalaureate Degree 1/19/2009
with Regional Accreditation
Eugene Garcia Public University 1/19/2009
Anna Solley Urban Community College, >500,000 pop. 1/19/2009
Timothy Trent High School Education System 1/19/2009
David Curd Charter School Operator 1/21/2008
Vacant Cosmetology
Vacant Rural Community College, <500,000 pop.
Vacant Vocational Education Program
Not Qualified Under Any Other Category
Joel Sideman Executive Director, Concurrent w/ position
Arizona Board of Regents
Teri Stanfill Executive Director, Concurrent w/ position
State Board for Private Postsecondary Education
* Subject to confirmation
SALARY OR OTHER COMPENSATION:
Pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-611, members appointed are eligible to receive compensation not to exceed thirty dollars for each day spent in the performance of ACPE duties and may be reimbursed for expenses properly incurred in connection with attendance at meetings or hearings of the ACPE.
BUDGET AND FTES:
The ACPE FY 2008-2009 total appropriated budget is $10,361,900 and the appropriated state General Fund budget is $7,420,800 with 10 full-time equivalent positions.
NOMINEE’S QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
None
Employment:
Executive Director, Apollo College, Phoenix Campus (2007-Present)
Campus President, Remington College, Tempe Campus (2002-2007)
Executive Director, United Education Institute, California (2000-2002)
President/CEO/CFO, the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies Inc., California (1994-2000)
Other Qualifications:
Board Member, President (2009), Arizona Private School Association (2005-Present)
Board Member, California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools (1989-1992)
Education Accountability and Reform Committee
May 4, 2009