Former SMCC President Dr. John Cordova Passes

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Maricopa County Community College District Chancellor Dr. Steven Gonzalez announced this week that former South Mountain Community College President Dr. John Cordova passed recently.

A native of Tolleson, AZ, Dr. Cordova was the founding president of Paradise Valley Community College before becoming president at SMCC in 1992.

SMCC's South Phoenix Oral History Project conducted an interview with Dr. Cordova in 2019.

Read a short biography of Dr. Cordova.

View the full South Phoenix Oral History Project video interview with Dr. Cordova.

Dr C at Guadalupe Dr. Cordova

Three Presidents — On the 30th anniversary of South Mountain Community College, founding president Dr. Rual Cardenas (1978-1992), and successor presidents Dr. Kenneth Atwater (2001-2010) and Dr. John A. Cordova (1993-2001), gathered for the celebration.