After more than 50 years of dedicated service to the human services and philanthropic sectors, Brian Spicker, president and CEO of the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, recently announced his retirement, effective May 31.

Since joining the foundation in March 2019, Spicker has transformed the organization into a high-performing fundraising entity, strengthening its capacity, building strategic donor partnerships, and expanding workforce and industry initiatives, a press release stated.

Under his leadership, the foundation’s revenue grew from $5.2 million in FY 2019–2020 to over $11.4 million in FY 2023–2024. Scholarship funding increased by 34% in the past three years alone, reaching over 5,450 students, according to the release.

Spicker’s approach helped the foundation weather the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic by enhancing emergency and basic needs funding and increasing student support. He also spearheaded the launch of major initiatives, including:

• Be a Student’s Hero Day of Giving, an annual fundraising effort, raised over $180,000 in 2024 to support students across the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges.
• EmpowerED for Student Success, a multi-year campaign with a $20 million goal by 2026 — already achieving $13.8 million within its first eight months.
• A new system-wide effort to expand the Maricopa Promise program across all 10 colleges.

Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, Maricopa Community Colleges chancellor, said in the release that Spicker’s leadership approach, ability to build lasting relationships and commitment to student success have left “an indelible mark” on the system.

“His vision and passion have impacted thousands of lives and expanded access to higher education across Arizona,” Gonzales said.

Spicker, reflecting on his retirement, said in the release that it has been “the greatest privilege” of his career to serve the foundation.

“I believe deeply in the power of education to transform lives, and I am proud of the work we have done to remove barriers and create pathways for students,” Spicker said. “Our success is a testament to the passion of our team, the generosity of our donors, and the resilience of our students.”

As Spicker prepares for retirement, his legacy will live on through the students whose lives have been transformed by expanded access to scholarships and opportunities, the release stated. 

To learn more about the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation and its impact, visit www.mcccdf.org.