The Community College of Denver’s president will soon lead all of Colorado’s public community colleges.

Marielena DeSanctis was named the sole finalist to succeed Joe Garcia as the Colorado Community College System’s chancellor Tuesday. Garcia announced his retirement in February and the system began a nationwide search for his successor the following month.

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The system’s board members touted her decorated 26-year career in education, leadership and collaboration toward improving postsecondary education and workforce training.

“Dr. DeSanctis brings a unique and far-reaching combination of experience across K-12 public education, the private sector, workforce systems, and higher education,” said Landon Mascareñaz, board chair for the Colorado Community College System. “She emerged from a highly accomplished pool of national and local candidates.

“During the process, the Board became inspired about her vision to move CCCS and Colorado into the future. She has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to inclusive excellence, innovation, and breakthrough initiatives throughout her career, and the Board is confident she will be the bold and collaborative leader to guide CCCS to achieve our vision of being the first and best for every learner in Colorado.”

DeSanctis has served as president for the Community College of Denver since 2021 and currently serves as co-chair of the National Academies of Sciences, a board member of the Downtown Denver Partnership and a board member of the Colorado Education Initiative.

Earlier this month, she was selected to join the Colorado Business Roundtable Board of Directors, who work to address economic challenges across Colorado.

In its announcement, the college system highlighted her efforts in student success, workforce-driven innovation and strengthened partnerships across the Denver metro region. This has resulted in increased enrollment, new career-aligned programs, expanded concurrent enrollment opportunities at the Community College of Denver.

Additionally, the college has secured grants and philanthropic investments toward holistic student services and workforce-aligned academic pathways, and DeSanctis has worked to advance legislation to expand access to high school diplomas through community colleges.

“I am thrilled to congratulate Dr. Marielena DeSanctis for being named the sole finalist for Chancellor of the Colorado Community College System,” Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement.

“Community colleges open doors to opportunity for students, save families thousands of dollars while teaching important skills, and are a pathway to fill in-demand, good-paying jobs, and I am confident that under the forward-thinking and experienced leadership of Dr. DeSanctis, Colorado’s community college students and our economy will thrive.”

Before her time in Denver, DeSanctis assumed various roles in K-12 and higher education that included teaching, principal, assistant superintendent and provost positions across Florida.

She first earned a degree in mechanical engineering and began her career in the private sector, which she said inspired her approach to working in systems and collaborating with different groups and municipalities.

“The CCCS Strategic Plan calls on us to be the first and best path to prosperity for every learner — and that vision resonates deeply with my own,” DeSanctis said in a statement.

“Together with our colleges, communities, and business partners, we will accelerate economic mobility, expand career-connected learning, and transform the way Colorado experiences education and opportunity.”

The board plans to take a formal vote of confirmation at its August meeting and anticipates a start date in early fall.

The Florida native and daughter of a Cuban immigrant, DeSanctis will be the first Latina in Colorado history to lead the Community College System, if confirmed.