Dr. Ana Margarita “Cha” Guzman has been a national leader in education for the past thirty years. She previously served as president of Sante Fe Community College (SFCC) from September of 2012 to 2014. During her tenure, retention rates increased by 12%, graduation rates by 47% and enrollment rates by 12%. Under Dr. Guzman’s leadership, the Legislature approved a Higher Education Center that allowed Sante Fe students to have access to bachelors and graduate programs from public universities throughout New Mexico.
She also served as President of Palo Alto College (PAC) for 12 years. During her tenure, she increased enrollment by 61%, retention rates increased from 62% to 84% and continuing education revenues increased by 400%. Under her leadership, PAC garnered millions of dollars in federal and state grants and was chosen to establish the first recovery high school in the State of Texas by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Additionally, 14 new programs were established and 28 additional certificate programs were submitted to the US Department of Education for approval for Pell Eligibility.
Dr. Guzman led PAC through two successful re-accreditations with the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities in 2002 and 2011. At SFCC, she led them through a successful re-accreditation with the Central Association of Colleges and Universities in 2012.
Dr. Guzman was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve a four-year term on the National Security Education Board (NSEB), a 13-member panel that develops criteria for scholarships and grants for students who express an interest in national security issues or pursuing a career in a national security position. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Early Childhood and Family Support Organization, AVANCE.
Dr. Guzman served as the chair of the White House Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans from 1993 to 2000. She was honored with the Ford Salute to Education in 2005 and was named to the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame in 2006. She served on the Board of Trustees of the College Board, a not-for-profit membership association.
Dr. Guzman began her career as a public school teacher and has taught at the University of Texas at Brownsville as well as Corpus Christi University. She served as Associate Vice Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, and as Executive Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Administration and Community Relations at Austin Community College.
Dr. Guzman has attended the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University as well as the Training for Corporate Boards. She 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.