Grossmont College President Ted Martinez, Jr. Leads National
Hispanic Community College Council.

     El Cajon - Grossmont College President Ted Martinez, Jr, Ph.D. has been elected president of the National Community College Hispanic Council (NCCHC), an affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges. The 250-member council is entering its 18th organizational year of support and leadership development for Hispanic educators in community and technical colleges. Martinez had previously served as the organization's vice president, and board member.
 
     "We have reached an organizational plateau," said Martinez. "It is time for us to take a critical look at our organizational plan, to evaluate strategies to strengthen our operational infrastructure; seek ways to increase membership, revenues and resources; and to implement the NCCHC Fellows Program. We will also seek ways to develop new member services consistent with our mission."
 
     NCCHC sponsors an Annual Summer Leadership Symposium for Hispanic college administrators. The 2002 symposium, held in Portland, Oregon in July, attracted more than 100 participants and focused on the theme "Building a World of Leaders." Featured speakers included Dr. Antonio Perez, President, Borough of Manhattan Community College, New York, whose topic was "Leadership in a Time of Crisis - A College's September 11 Experience." Perez serves on the NCCHC Board of Directors.
 
     Keynote Speaker was Dr. George Boggs, president of the American Association of Community Colleges, who discussed the AACC Leadership Initiative to help full community college presidential vacancies as more college CEOs reach retirement age.
 
     NCCHC presented the newly-established Outstanding Latino/a CEO Leadership Award to one of the organization's founders and charter members, Dr. Michael Saenz, president of Tarrant County College District, Fort Worth, Texas.
 
     The Leadership Symposium was co-sponsored by The Association of Latino Community College Trustees; Portland Community College, and the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Portland. Dr. Jesus Carreon, president of Portland Community College, is the organization's immediate past president. Officers include: Vice President - Dr. Maria M. Vallejo, Palm Beach Community College, Florida; Secretary - Dr. Elva C. LeBlanc, Galveston College, Texas; Treasurer - Dr. Gustavo Valadez Ortiz, Del Mar College, Texas. Board members include Dr. Cecilia Cervantes, College of Alameda, California; Dr. Richard Duran, Pima Community College, Arizona; Dr. Wilfredo Nieves, Middlesex Community College, Connecticut; Dr. Antonio Perez, Borough of Manhattan Community College, New York; Dr. Raul Ramirez, Dona Ana Branch Community College, New Mexico; Dr. Maria Sheehan, College of the Desert, California; Dr. Jose Vicente, Miami Dade Community College, Florida; Dr. Felix Zamorra, Eastfield College, Texas; Dr. Silvia Zapico, Valencia Community College, Florida.
 
     For more information regarding NCCHC, contact Dr. Ted Martinez, Jr., president Grossmont College, 619-644-7101, or ted.martinez@gcccd.net.
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Note to editors: An electronic photo of Dr. Martinez is available. Please contact susan.herney@gcccd.net.