District Governing Board announces presidential succession
December 11, 2025Dr. Reetika Dhawan to serve as 10th president of Arizona Western College
Yuma, Ariz. (December 11, 2025) – Today, the Arizona Western College District Governing Board announced that Dr. Reetika Dhawan has been selected to serve as the 10th President of Arizona Western College. Dr. Dhawan will replace the current president, Dr. Daniel Corr, following his retirement in July of 2026.
“It is with great pleasure that we announce Dr. Reetika Dhawan as AWC’s future president,” said Board Chair Dennis Booth. “In the 18 years Dr. Dhawan has been at AWC, she has made a transformative impact on the institution, serving our students and community with contagious passion and a commitment to innovation and equity. We are confident she will steer AWC into the future with vision and purpose.”
Last month, the board held a formal interview with Dr. Dhawan. They also hosted four Candidate Forums across the district, to provide internal and external stakeholders an opportunity to engage in the process.
“Today, I stand truly humbled and deeply grateful,” Dr. Dhawan shared. “Being entrusted to serve as the 10th President of Arizona Western College is one of the greatest honors of my life. This community has lifted me, taught me, and embraced me from the moment I arrived and I will spend every day giving that love back.”
Dr. Dhawan’s tenure with AWC began in 2008 as an adjunct math and physics instructor. From instructor to administrator, her career has been marked by a passion for education, innovation, and student success.
In her current role as CEO of the Entrepreneurial College and Vice President of Workforce and Healthcare Programs, Dr. Dhawan has expanded AWC’s reach through new programs, partnerships, and transformative grants. At her core, she remains an educator who values the art of teaching and the shared commitment of faculty and staff who make AWC’s mission possible.
“Thank you to our Board for your trust, to Dr. Daniel Corr for your mentorship, and to my incredible colleagues for believing in me,” Dr. Dhawan continued. “I will work tirelessly, shoulder to shoulder with all of you, to ensure our students and families receive every opportunity they deserve. Yuma has limitless potential, and together, we will continue building a future full of hope, innovation, and possibility. My heart is full. Let’s get to work together.”
The AWC District Governing Board is comprised of the following members:
• Dennis Booth, Board Chair, District #3
• Brad Sale, District #1
• Dr. Kenneth Macfarland, District #2
• Olivia Zepeda, District #4
• Maria Chavoya, District #5
Additional information about the District Governing Board can be accessed on the college website.
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Contact:
Olivia Zepeda
Board Secretary
Arizona Western College District Governing Board
olivia.zepeda@azwestern.edu