| Ana G. Méndez | |
|---|---|
"Founder of the Ana G. Mendez University System " |
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| Born | January 7, 1908 Aguada, Puerto Rico |
| Died | February 18, 1997 San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Nationality | Puerto Rican |
| Occupation | educator |
Ana G. Méndez (January 7, 1908 - February 18, 1997) was an educator who founded the Ana G. Mendez University System in Puerto Rico.
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Born in Aguada, Puerto Rico, Mendez was one of eight children born to Francisco Monje and Ana Cofresí and was a direct descendant of the Puerto Rican pirate Roberto Cofresí, on her mother's side.[1]
In 1935, Méndez graduated from high school in Santurce; she earned her Bachelor's Degree in commercial education from the University of Puerto Rico in 1940. It was during the 1940s that she realised that students should have the option of having a short term college for a commercial or technical career - this led in 1941, to her founding the Puerto Rican High School of Commerce with 3 teachers and nine students.[1][2]
In 1948, Méndez graduated from the University of New York with Master's Degree. In 1948, she founded the Puerto Rico Junior College in Rio Piedras with 19 students; this became the first educational institution in Puerto Rico to offer an associates degree (2 year college). An educational visionary, Méndez founded universities, television stations, college classes by mail and as mentioned above the associates degree.[1]
Among the universities founded by Mendez are:
Mendez also founded the "Ana G. Mendez Foundation" which grants scholarships to outstanding students and she also found TV Channel 40 "The Ana G. Mendez Educational Channel". What today is known as the "Ana G. Mendez University System" and started with only nine students, now has over 17 thousand students, 800 professors and 500 administrative employees.[1][2]
In 1965, Méndez became the "first" and only Puerto Rican woman amongst the Board of Directors of Eastern Air Lines. In 1975, the Catholic University of Puerto Rico awarded to Méndez an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanities.[1][2] Ana G. Méndez died on February 18, 1997 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico honored her memory by naming an avenue in San Juan after her. On July 10, 2003, Mayor Buddy Dyer of Orlando, Florida announced the opening of the "Ana G. Mendez Metro Orlando University".[1]