The Maricopa County Community College District announce Monday that CJ Wurster has been named the fifth president of Chandler-Gilbert Community College.
Wurster assumes the permanent position after serving in an interim capacity since July 2024.
"It is an incredible honor to serve as president of Chandler-Gilbert Community College,” Wurster said in a release. “I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to lead such a premier institution of higher education.
"I look forward to a future filled with promise and opportunity, and am excited to work in collaboration with our remarkable faculty, staff, and students, and valued community partners. Together, we will continue to build on the strong foundation that makes Chandler-Gilbert Community College such a special place for learning and growth."
CGCC has had consistent year-over-year enrollment growth since the 2020-21 academic year.
Under Wurster’s leadership, CGCC reached major milestones during the 2024-25 academic year, including receiving approval from the Higher Learning Commission to launch its first bachelor’s degree in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning and unveiling the first-of-its-kind aerospace and defense-focused Future48 Workforce Accelerator.
The college awarded MCCCD’s first microcredential pathway in data analytics to 11 students last fall.
Additionally, CGCC was recognized by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs for its efforts in promoting service-learning, volunteerism, and civic engagement.
“Throughout the last year, Dr. Wurster has demonstrated a deep commitment to the college, its students and the surrounding community,” MCCCD Chancellor Steven Gonzales said in the release. “I have no doubt that he will continue to build upon the positive momentum, working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and system stakeholders to advance Chandler-Gilbert’s mission and strategic priorities in support of our students.”
Wurster’s tenure at MCCCD spans 15 years. Prior to joining CGCC, Wurster served as the vice president of academic affairs at Phoenix College, where he led 13 academic departments and academic support services.
Before that, he was the district director of academic affairs, co-leading system-wide efforts to support the launch of MCCCD’s first bachelor’s degree programs in fall 2023.
In addition, Wurster held various leadership positions while at GateWay Community College, including executive director, associate dean and dean, where he focused largely on expanding workforce development and career and technical education programs.
A first-generation college student, Wurster earned his bachelor’s in criminal justice from the Rochester Institute of Technology, and both his master's degree in administration and project management and doctorate in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University.
Furthermore, Wurster is a graduate of the Chair Academy, the AACC John E. Roueche Future Leaders Institute, the Association of Career and Technical Education’s Postsecondary Leadership Success Fellowship Program, and the League for Innovation Executive Leadership Institute.
