Tucson Standard

Pima County Community College Board member Catherine Ripley has informed the board of her intention to resign, citing her need to care for her elderly mother.

"It has been an honor and privilege to serve this beautiful community of educators and students," she told the board. "I have found it more and more difficult to spread my time and efforts between home and the college, and to give my mother the care and constant love she so deserves in this, her last stages of life."

According to KGUN, Ripley was elected two years ago, and her term will run until 2026. Pima County School Superintendent Dustin Williams will appoint a replacement to the board, the story said.

"The amazing staff, administration and faculty I was privileged to meet and work with here will be missed terribly. I am amazed and proud of your accomplishments, courage and strength of character you have shown over the past two very difficult years of COVID recovery," Ripley told the board. "Your resilience is remarkable, and you’ve managed to not only overcome enormous challenges, but rise to levels beyond ever before. You are true heroes to me and to this community."

PCC Chancellor Lee Lambert called Ripley a "dedicated public servant" and said she had "contributed greatly to the success of Pima Community College during her tenure, first as an adjunct faculty member, then as a governing board member, vice chair and finally chair of the board."

Lambert also said Ripley “managed the board through difficult times with courage and grace and always kept the interests of students and the needs of the community as her priority.”