South Mountain Community College President Dr. Veronica Hipolito was awarded the 2026 Dr. Alfredo G. de los Santos, Jr., Community College Award at this morning’s Arizona Higher Education Awards Breakfast presented by The Pete C. Garcia Victoria Foundation. She was one of six recipients honored at the event. 
The foundation’s annual ceremony recognizes those who are making a difference in higher education institutions by pushing agendas and supporting academic programs that allow students to succeed.
Dr. Hipolito’s leadership at SMCC is embedded in collaboration, community partnership and creating a student-centered culture. She works to champion students through expanding opportunities, advancing equity, strengthening systems and removing barriers in order to help them achieve their goals.
Dr. Hipolito has had a long-standing career in the Maricopa County Community College District, where she has served as both the vice president of student affairs at Chandler-Gilbert Community College and interim president at Scottsdale Community College prior to becoming president at SMCC in 2024. Through these experiences, she worked to develop structural supports that make educational pathways more accessible and equitable.
Her accomplishments go beyond the college as also shown through her engagement and commitment to the community through board service and involvement in the American Association of Community College Student Agency, Success Learning Pathways and Wellbeing Commission.
Dr. Hipolito was presented the award by Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, Senior Executive Director of the Community College Leadership Doctoral Program at Kansas State University and Board Member of The Pete C. Garcia Victoria Foundation, along with Debbie Castaldo, Corporate Senior Vice President and Foundation President of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
