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Phoenix, Arizona 85013
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Phoenix College President To Be Honored as a 2003 Texas Woman’s University Distinguished Alumna

By: Christy Skeen

Texas Woman’s University (TWU) will recognize Phoenix College president, Dr. Corina Gardea, during its Honors Convocation ceremonies Thursday, April 10 and at an awards luncheon on Saturday, April 12. The university will acknowledge four distinguished alumni as part of its Homecoming celebration.

Dr. Gardea graduated from TWU in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene. As a student at TWU, she developed a bilingual program in dental health for use by local school and community groups. She was also inducted into Sigma Phi Alpha, the national dental hygiene honor society. Following graduation, she served as faculty and department chair of the Dental Hygiene Program at El Paso Community College.

Dr. Gardea later attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she received a Master of Education degree and a Ph.D. through the Community College Leadership Program, which specializes in the preparation of community college presidents.

In October 2001, she was named President of Phoenix College. Dr. Gardea had previously served in a number of key administrative roles during a 16-year tenure with the Dallas County Community College District. Before moving to Phoenix, she directed the Rising Star Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships to Dallas County high school students who graduate from high school and meet certain criteria.

She received the 2002 She Knows Where’s She’s Going Award presented by Girls Incorporated of Metropolitan Dallas and the WB33’s Kids Development and Achievement Fund.

Dr. Gardea holds an undying passion for education and possesses a true commitment to community service. She is a strong believer in giving back to the community and for many years she has been a devoted community volunteer with a variety of organizations. She credits her success to her parents, family and extended network of advocates and friends that have always given her encouragement and love.

In addition to the Texas Woman’s University Outstanding Alumni Award, Dr. Gardea has been recognized for her work in the community and has received the following acknowledgements:

--LULAC Council 100 – Dallas, Texas: Outstanding Leadership Award, 1999;

--Touching Lives-Making a Difference Award from the Dallas Hispanic Women’s Network, 2001;

--University of Texas at Austin, Community College Leadership Program, Distinguished Graduate Award, 2002; and

--Arizona LULAC, District I, Latino Pioneer Educators Excellence Award, 2003.