Jos†é F. M†éndez
President, Ana G. M†éndez University System
Dr. Jos†é F. M†éndez has been President of the Ana G. M†éndez University System (AGMUS) for the past thirty six years. He has dedicated himself to creating educational opportunities for thousands of young men and women, and establishing a new standard of excellence in different areas of the higher education field. Since he became president in 1974, AGMUS has grown to become a multi-university system, which includes Universidad del Turabo (1972), Universidad Metropolitana (1980) and Universidad del Este (formerly called Puerto Rico Junior College, 1992). Also, in 1985, under Dr. M†éndezòÀÙ stewardship, AGMUS founded Channel 40 (today, Sistema TV), Puerto RicoòÀÙs first privately operated television station affiliated to PBS. Today, AGMUS serves more than 42,000 students in its three main campuses and 14 off-campus university centers in Puerto Rico and three campuses in Florida (Orlando, Tampa and Miramar in South Florida). AGMUS offers a wide array of Professional Certificates, Associate, Bachelor, Master and Doctoral degrees.
Under the leadership of Dr. Jos†é F. M†éndez, AGMUS has established collaborative efforts with other universities, several national laboratories and many federal agencies. In 1983 he signed the first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between a Hispanic institution (AGMUS), a historically black college (Jackson State University) and a National Laboratory (Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory), creating the Science Consortium. This agreement bridged a gap between groups of minority students and faculties, and became emblematic of the courage and vision of Dr. M†éndez and his work.
His life has been dedicated to the education and improvement of the quality of life of our people. For example, Dr. M†éndez lead the development of various community impact projects such as the Public Policy Institute (PPI), an AGMUSòÀÙ organization whose objective is to promote the analysis and in-depth discussion of public policy issues, through forums, research, educational series and other activities. Likewise, it has gained support from business and government for the establishment of regional economic development initiatives comprising 48 municipalities of the Island (INTECO, INTENOR, INTENE, DISUR); the establishment of the Center of Excellence for High Technology (CETA), in conjunction with the municipality of Barceloneta, Merck and other pharmaceutical industries in the north of the island, among others.
During his years as President of the AGMUS, Dr. M†éndez has changed the lives of many thousands of young minority students and improved the future for us all. The devotion of Dr. M†éndez has always been reaching a higher level of quality and excellence. Facing the challenge of a personalized education, strongly based on moral values, its institutions not only aspired to prepare professionals with a higher commitment to excellence, but also to form men and women capable of putting their knowledge to the service of the community.