Juan L. Maldonado, Ph.D.
On September 1, 2007, Dr. Juan L. Maldonado became Laredo Community College’s sixth president.
Dr. Maldonado has been associated with Laredo Community College since January of 1996, when he was hired to fill the newly created position of Vice-President for Human Resources and Student Development. In 1998, he was named to another executive-level position, the post of Vice President for Instruction and Student Development, which he held through 2006 when he was then promoted to the position of Executive Vice President.
Prior to joining Laredo Community College, Dr. Maldonado was affiliated for 21 years with Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, Texas, where he acquired extensive experience in instruction and student support services. He joined Tarrant County College in 1975 as a counselor and instructor of psychology. He also served as coordinator of its Behavioral Sciences Department, associate professor of psychology, counselor/professor of psychology, counselor/special services coordinator and chairperson of the Business and Sciences Division.
A 1967 graduate of Martin High School, Maldonado attended Texas A&M University-College Station before transferring to the University of North Texas in Denton, where he received a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences with a major in sociology and a minor in psychology, and a Master of Education in counseling with a minor in sociology. Dr. Maldonado obtained a Ph.D. in child development with a minor in sociology from Texas Woman’s University in Denton.
During Dr. Maldonado’s presidency, Laredo Community College has emerged as a leader in education and economic development in Laredo and the South Texas region, with a strong focus on team management and leadership. Future plans include continued restoration of the college’s historical buildings, the creation of a facilities master plan for both campuses, and an expansion of educational programs to meet the growing needs of a diverse community.
RAMON H. DOVALINA, PH.D.
Fifth President
1995 - 2007
On
July 5, 1995, Dr. Ramón H. Dovalina returned to Laredo Community College to
serve the forty-eight year old institution as its fifth president.
Dr. Dovalina had been a student at the College in 1960-1961 and again in
1965-1966 after three years of service in the United States Marine Corps.
During
his thirty year absence from Laredo, he obtained bachelor’s and master’s
degrees from Texas A&I University in Kingsville and a doctorate from The
University of Texas at Austin. Dr.
Dovalina taught in the public schools before assuming roles in college
administration. He began his higher education career at Del Mar College and
then moved to Austin to help open Austin Community College.
He served that community college for twenty-two years in various
positions.
During his first year as Laredo Community College President, he brought new emphasis to the rich history of the campus, located in the Fort McIntosh Historic District, and helped transform the college into a progressive institution to serve the growing region in the new millennium. Laredo Community College approved a master plan for the next ten years and approved the purchase of $8.85 million in revenue bonds and a second purchase of $5.5 million to improve infrastructure and bring new technology to the campus. The College took a leadership role in developing distance education as a way to improve access for more students, and launched an environmental science center to encourage the study of math and science, and to teach the region about environmental issues affecting the Rio Grande.
ROGER WORSLEY, PH.D.
Fourth President
1985-1995
Roger L. Worsley was president of Laredo Junior College for a ten-year period. Prior to his arrival in Laredo he served as Vice Chancellor for Student Services , Dean of Educational Services, and Director of Community Education and Student Services at Anchorage Community College (Alaska). At Mesa Community College (Arizona), he served as Dean of the Evening College, Associate Dean of Instruction, Faculty member and Administrative Assistant for Continuing Education. He also taught in both the Mesa and Yuma public schools.
He received a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Science and a Doctor of Education Degree from Arizona State University. He is a native of Hunter, N.D. The former high school and college football coach attended Arizona State University on an athletic scholarship.
Dr. Worsley was recognized for his achievements with a resolution from the 71st Texas Legislature in 1989. Under his leadership, the college experienced impressive growth in enrollment, staff and facilities. While in Laredo, Worsley and his wife Linda were active in civic and community activity, including the Laredo Rotary Club and the United Way of Laredo.
DOMINGO ARECHIGA, PH.D.
Third President
1974-1985
Dr. Domingo Arechiga (1926-1987) who dedicated 31-years of service to Laredo Junior College, served as president during a period of unprecedented growth. During his tenure as president, the college expanded its taxing district to include the limits of the City of Laredo, experienced phenomenal growth in enrollment, and added allied health education programs in collaboration with Project HOPE. A historic building on the college campus bears his name.
Arechiga joined LJC in 1954 as a business administration instructor. Two years later, he became the registrar and in 1960 was given the duties of Dean. He later held the dual positions of Vice President and Dean and in 1974 was named President of the college.
He was a Martin High School football star and received a Ph.B. from St. Edward's University which awarded him the 10-Year Alumni Certificate. He received a Master of Science in Business Administration from Texas A&I University in Kingsville and a Ph.D. from Arizona State University whose alumni named him a Distinguished Alumnus in 1982.
RAY LAIRD
Second President
1960-1974
Dr. Ray Laird joined the LJC faculty as dean-registrar in 1949. When the first president, Jack Adkins retired in 1960, Dr. Laird was his successor. Dr. Laird is credited with broadening and strengthening LJC’s curriculum and community services. He began his career at the college as dean-registrar and then as president.
His professional career included service as a teacher and administrator in elementary, junior high and senior high schools, as well as in higher education. Born in Milford, Illinois. He received B.S. and M.S. degrees in education from the University of Illinois at Urbana. He received a doctorate in junior college administration from the University of Texas.
He was a senior lieutenant in the Army Air Force 1942-43 and served several months as information and education officer at Smyrna Army Air Force Base in Tennessee. He spent 12 months in Guatemala with an Air Force unit.
While in Laredo, Dr. and Mrs. Laird were active in Christ Church. Dr. Laird was an active Rotarian and participated in numerous professional organizations.
W.J. ADKINS
First President
1947-1960
W.J. Adkins, who arrived in Laredo to build a junior college to train returning World War II veterans, served 13 years as college president and was credited with taking the institution's programs to standards for full accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
He opened the 1947-48 school year on September 9 with more than 800 students in all divisions. The student enrollment grew to 1,207 in the second term that year. The first graduating class of 13 sophomores received an Associate in Arts Diploma on May 25, 1948. an assembly in the college theatre
Adkins' community contributions included service to the Laredo Chamber of Commerce, Washington's Birthday Celebration Association, Border Olympics and Laredo Community Chest (now United Way).