Award-winning PCC Teacher Named Acting Assistant Vice Chancellor
April 24, 2012
Tucson, AZ – Dr. Dolores Durán-Cerda, an award-winning language instructor who has taught at Pima Community College for 15 years, has been named Acting Assistant Vice Chancellor.
Dr. Durán-Cerda was selected from eight candidates and will join the PCC administrative team next month upon completion of her work at Downtown Campus, where she teaches Spanish as a member of the World Languages faculty.
Dr. Durán-Cerda’s new duties include coordinating research projects, responding to constituent concerns and working closely with the Provost, Interim Chancellor and Board of Governors on College curriculum, policies and initiatives.
Earlier this month, Dr. Durán-Cerda was named Teacher of the Year by the Arizona Language Association in recognition of her teaching excellence and outstanding service in foreign language education.
Dr. Durán-Cerda, who taught her first class at PCC as an adjunct faculty member in 1997, is president of PCC’s Faculty Senate, serves as a campus honors coordinator, and is a member of the World Languages Academic Advisory Committee of the College Board.
Dr. Durán-Cerda earned her undergraduate degree in Spanish, French and Secondary Education from the University of Iowa, where she graduated with honors. Her master’s and doctoral degrees are from the University of Arizona’s Department of Spanish and Portuguese.
At the PCC Governing Board’s September 2011 meeting, Dr. Durán-Cerda made an eloquent public comment in support of new admission standards.
“I come before you not only as an involved and active educator, but also as a community member, a Latina/Chicana, daughter of a migrant worker, and wife to a soldier who is currently deployed,” she told the Board. “I am someone who is proud and honored to teach, educate, and learn at Pima Community College.”
Dr. Durán-Cerda replaces Deborah Yoklic, who was named Acting Vice President of Instruction at East Campus earlier this month. The appointment of Dr. Durán-Cerda was announced late Friday in an email sent to faculty and staff by Interim Chancellor Dr. Suzanne L. Miles.
Dr. Durán-Cerda’s appointment is pending approval by the PCC Governing Board. The next regularly scheduled Board meeting is Wednesday, May 16 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room at East Campus, 8181 E. Irvington Road. Beginning in May, the Board will rotate its regularly scheduled meetings among all PCC facilities.
CONTACT:
C.J. Karamargin
Vice Chancellor for Public Information and Government Relations
(520) 206-4850
ckaramargin@pima.edu