Guthertz resigns as Guam Community College president barely a month into the job

Admin
2 hours ago
3 min read

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

Former senator Judith P. Guthertz stepped down as president of the Guam Community College less than a month after assuming the position.

In her resignation letter, Guthertz described the decision as deeply personal, noting that her professional judgment led her to conclude that her greatest contribution was to make way for the talented leaders already serving the college.

"Seven months invested in the presidential search, a selection and appointment as President, and one unforgettable typhoon later: that is the short arithmetic of my tenure as president," she said.

Guthertz took the helm of the college as its 10th president earlier this month, following the retirement of Mary Okada, who is running for lieutenant governor.

The college board accepted Guthertz's resignation effective July 31.

"This is not an easy decision on my part. I devoted seven long months of my professional life looking towards possible service as president at Guam Community College," she wrote in her resignation letter.

"The search was a long process. I have absolutely no regrets, and I am absolutely thrilled to be able to acknowledge that GCC is one of the best organized, operated, and successful instrumentalities of our island government, totally accountable fiscally and operationally to the people and students of Guam<' she added.

The former lawmaker assumed the post on July 6 after beating 11 other candidates.

She stressed that her resignation should not be viewed as a reflection of GCC, which she praised as one of Guam's strongest and best-managed public institutions.

'The board of trustees appointed Virginia C. Tudela as acting president effective Aug. 3 to ensure a seamless transition in leadership as the College prepares for the start of the Fall semester.

In an earlier interview with the Pacific Island Times, Guthertz said she wanted "to be remembered for being willing to step aside to support others' mobility opportunities at the college."

"GCC is an organization full of talent. There are other members of the management team who could easily serve as president right now. I will step aside at the right time because part of my duty as a leader is to prepare my successor to take over," she said.

"I will gladly do this, and I will do this sooner rather than later because I believe in shared governance and in giving others the chance to lead," she added.

Guthertz submitted her resignation to the board on July 23, citing her belief that the College possesses exceptional leadership talent within its existing management team and that it is the appropriate time to allow those leaders the opportunity to guide the institution forward.

Although her tenure lasted just under one month, D Guthertz reflected on the extraordinary experience of joining the College immediately following Super Typhoon Bavi, describing the resilience and unity demonstrated by GCC employees as among the defining moments of her career.

"While my time as president was brief, it reaffirmed everything I have long believed about public service and higher education," Guthertz said.

\"I witnessed an extraordinary college community come together in one of its most challenging moments. Faculty, staff, and administrators responded with professionalism, compassion, and determination to restore campus operations and put students first. I leave with tremendous admiration for the people of Guam Community College and complete confidence that its future is exceptionally bright."

Carlo M. Leon Guerrero, chair of the board, thanked Dr. Guthertz for her leadership and professionalism during an unprecedented period for the College.

"On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to thank Dr. Guthertz for her integrity, candor, and commitment to Guam Community College," he said.

"Although her tenure was brief, she provided steady leadership during the College's recovery from Super Typhoon Bavi and consistently placed the interests of our students and institution first. We respect her decision and sincerely appreciate the grace and professionalism with which she has handled this transition. We wish her continued success in the next chapter of her distinguished career."

Tudela previously served as interim president and has decades of leadership experience in higher education, workforce development, and public service.

"I am honored by the confidence the Board has placed in me and grateful to Dr. Guthertz for her leadership and support during this transition," Tudela said. "Our immediate priority is ensuring that the College remains focused on serving our students, supporting our faculty and staff, and beginning the academic year successfully. GCC has always been a resilient institution, and together we will continue advancing our mission of preparing Guam's workforce and strengthening our community."

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