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Another former CPCC administrator sues college for discrimination

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Another former Central Piedmont Community College administrator is suing the college for alleged age and gender discrimination.

Maha Gingrich is the second person to file a lawsuit against the community college about this issue. She told Action 9′s Jason Stoogenke she worked for the school for more than 20 years, was promoted often, and ultimately served as an assistant vice president.

Gingrich claims that when Kandi Deitemeyer took over as president of the college in 2017, Deitemeyer laid off multiple staff members, mainly women and those older than 40.

“I really feel compelled that I need to speak up," Gingrich said. "That was my college. I grew up there. I want to make sure that we contributed to the successes of the college. And it is a community college. It belongs to the community. The community has a right to know what’s going on at the college. The community has a right to know the systematic discrimination that is happening at the college.”

Channel 9 has already reported that a former CPCC associate vice president was suing the college. Carolyn Quincy Foil White also accuses CPCC of age and gender discrimination.

White was the associate vice president for a fundraising arm of the school. She said she brought in millions of dollars more than her predecessor and had good performance reviews.

“The lawsuit alleges more broadly a potential broader impact on older workers, in particular older female staff, as being disproportionately impacted by the staffing changes that the new president implemented,” the plaintiff’s lawyer Josh van Kampen said.

CPCC told Action 9′s Jason Stoogenke:

“The college is aware of the lawsuits. The college categorically refutes the allegations contained in the complaint and will defend itself vigorously in court.”