A former Arizona Western College employee has filed a lawsuit against the school and members of its leadership team.
Kathleen Iudicello claims she lost her job because she raised concerns about the Yuma college’s dual enrollment program, which allows high school students to take college-level courses, earning both high school and college credit simultaneously.
Iudicello was the vice president of learning services and was responsible for making sure that the dual enrollment program complied with state law and the accreditation standards set by the Higher Learning Commission.
“Both require that dual enrollment programs meet the same standards as courses being offered at the community college," Iudicello said. “I repeatedly raised concerns that the directives for the dual enrollment program did not comply with the law or the accreditation requirements.”
She and several other faculty members were worried about the college's decision to reduce minimum faculty credential requirements for the program. Iudicello said that meant dual enrollment students were not getting the same level of education as the traditional college students.
“After I continued to speak up, including bringing my concerns to members of the [Arizona] Department of Education, I was threatened for undermining leadership, excluded from meetings, stripped of responsibilities and shunned," Iudicello said.
Iudicello was later fired and told she never got in alignment with the president’s directives for the program.
The complaint says, in part, that AWC's president, Daniel Corr "continued to manipulate and mislead AWC faculty regarding its lack of Dual Enrollment compliance" and "fired Iudicello in retaliation for her refusal to acquiesce to his directive to continue to violate the State Statute and the HLC’s mandates as they relate to Dual Enrollment."
In response to the allegations, a college spokesperson sent this statement to KJZZ:
"It is never our practice to comment on potential or ongoing litigation, nor do we discuss current or former personnel matters.
Regarding dual enrollment at Arizona Western College, our community has been incredibly supportive of our efforts to expand early college opportunities for our local students to increase postsecondary attainment. In Yuma and La Paz counties, where we have seen some of the lowest higher education attainment, we are bucking statewide trends. We have seen a nearly-1000 percent increase in dual enrollment over the past nine years, while maintaining full compliance with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), our accrediting body.
Dual enrollment has been central to our strategic plan for nine years and has seen significant success due to support from our faculty, staff, and high school partners. This achievement not only contributes to the lives and wellbeing of our students and their families but is a driver for Arizona’s economy."
Iudicello said her career and reputation in higher education were put at risk.
"It's also been emotionally exhausting," Iudicello said, "but I feel strongly that protecting students' educational opportunities is worth that fight.”
