SANTA ANA : Coordinator Named a Top U.S. Educator

Gloria Guzman, coordinator of the child development centers in the Rancho Santiago Community College District, has been named one of the five best educators in the country by a national association of community college directors.

The Board of Directors of the Assn. of Community College Administrators named Guzman the top faculty member for the Pacific region, which includes Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. Along with the four other regional nominees, she will be considered in August for the association’s highest honor, the William H. Meardy Faculty Award.

Guzman, chairwoman of Rancho Santiago College’s human development department and coordinator of the college district’s four child development centers, is on spring break in Mexico this week and could not be reached for comment Monday.

Donna Picard, dean of applied arts and sciences, said Monday that Guzman’s dedication made her an excellent candidate for the honor.

“She has just an unbelievable commitment to serving children. There are few people who will devote the kind of hours that she does,” Picard said, adding that Guzman works as many as 80 hours a week and consistently works on weekends to write grant requests for children’s centers.

Guzman also trains hundreds of students each year to be instructors for young children and also lobbies at the state and federal level for more funding for child care, Picard said.

“She is just outstanding, (especially) her love and concern for children,” Picard said.