Palo Alto College President Guzmán retires, named President in Santa Fe

Dr. Ana M. “Cha” Guzmán, President of Palo Alto College since 2001, was named President of Santa Fe Community College in Santa Fe, N.M., on July 12.

In March, she announced she would retire from the Alamo Colleges on Aug. 31. She begins her New Mexico duties on Sept. 4,replacing Dr. Sheila Ortego, who is retiring after six years as president. An 18-member committee selected Guzmán from 54 applicants, and she was approved by the SFCC Governing Board last Thursday.

During her tenure at Palo Alto, the college was reaccredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, enrollment increased to a record 9,163 in Fall 2011, and graduation and retention rates increased. She also oversaw planning and construction for five buildings – including a Veterinary Technology Building and a Performing Arts Center that is a cultural venue for the Southside – and the renovation of nearly all of the original buildings.

Guzmán currently serves on the Governing Board of the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU) and on the National Security Education Board (NSEB).

Guzmán holds an Ed.D. in Education from the University of Houston, an M.A. in Sociology from Texas Southern University in Houston, and a B.S. in Education from Stout State University in Wisconsin.

Palo Alto College, one of the Alamo Colleges, is a fully accredited community college located on the Southside of San Antonio with 9,000 students. It awards associate degrees and short-term certificates and offers non-credit continuing education classes. The campus is located at 1400 W. Villaret Blvd. at I-410 and Texas Hwy. 16 or online at alamo.edu/pac.

Contact: Ginger Hall Carnes, Public Relations Director
vcarnes@alamo.edu; 210.486.3884 (o),210.573.3922 (cell)

Press Release from Santa Fe Community College is available at:
http://www.sfcc.edu/presidential_search

Dr. Guzman’s Bio on PAC website:
http://www.alamo.edu/pac/president/