Ana G. Méndez
Encyclopedia
Ana G. Méndez was an educator who founded the Ana G. Mendez University System
in 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.
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.
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.
. In 1975, the Catholic University of Puerto Rico awarded to Méndez an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanities.
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".
Ana G. Mendez University System
The Ana G. Méndez University System —or Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez in Spanish— is a private institution of higher education in Puerto Rico...
in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
.
Early years
Born in Aguada, Puerto RicoAguada, Puerto Rico
Aguada is a municipality of Puerto Rico, located in the western coastal valley region bordering the Atlantic Ocean, west of Rincón, Aguadilla and Moca; and north of Anasco. It is part of the Aguadilla-Isabela-San Sebastián Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, 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
Roberto Cofresí
Roberto Cofresí , better known as "El Pirata Cofresí", was the most renowned pirate in Puerto Rico. He became interested in sailing at a young age. By the time he reached adulthood there were some political and economic difficulties in Puerto Rico, which at the time was a colony of Spain...
, on her mother's side.
In 1935, Méndez graduated from high school in Santurce
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
; she earned her Bachelor's Degree in commercial education from the University of Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
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.
Founder of Puerto Rico Junior College
In 1948, Méndez graduated from the University of New YorkUniversity of New York
University of New York may refer to:*University of New York in Prague, Czech Republic*University of New York Tirana, Albania* University of New York, fictional university on the American television series Felicity , modelled on New York University-See also:*There is no institution of higher...
with Master's Degree. In 1948, she founded the Puerto Rico Junior College in Rio Piedras
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
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
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
stations, college classes by mail and as mentioned above the associates degree.
Universities founded by Mendez
Among the universities founded by Mendez are:- The University of TuraboTurabo UniversityUniversity of Turabo is a private, non-profit, and secular university system in Puerto Rico.-Accreditations:*Council on Higher Education of Puerto Rico *Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools*US Department of Education...
, which is located in Gurabo, Puerto RicoGurabo, Puerto RicoGurabo is a municipality in eastern Puerto Rico located in the central eastern region, north of San Lorenzo; south of Trujillo Alto; east of Caguas; and west of Carolina and Juncos. Gurabo is spread over 9 wards and Gurabo Pueblo...
with branches in CayeyCayey, Puerto RicoCayey is a mountain town in central Puerto Rico located on the Central Mountain range, north of Salinas and Guayama; south of Cidra and Caguas; east of Aibonito and Salinas; and west of San Lorenzo Cayey is spread over 21 wards and Cayey Pueblo...
, IsabelaIsabela, Puerto RicoIsabela is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the north-western region of the island, north of San Sebastián; west of Quebradillas; and east of Aguadilla and Moca. Isabela is spread over 13 wards and Isabela Pueblo...
, PoncePonce, Puerto RicoPonce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
, YabucoaYabucoa, Puerto RicoYabucoa is a small town in the south eastern tip of Puerto Rico located in the southeastern region, north of Maunabo; south of San Lorenzo, Las Piedras and Humacao; and east of Patillas and about one hour from San Juan. Yabucoa is spread over 9 wards and Yabucoa Pueblo...
, BarcelonetaBarceloneta, Puerto RicoBarceloneta is a municipality in Puerto Rico and is located in the north region, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of Florida, east of Arecibo and west of Manati. Barceloneta is spread over 3 wards and Barceloneta Pueblo...
and NaguaboNagüabo, Puerto RicoNaguabo is a municipality in Puerto Rico located in the east coast of the island, north of Humacao; south of Río Grande and Ceiba; and east of Las Piedras. Naguabo is spread over 8 wards and Naguabo Pueblo...
. - The Universidad del Este (University of the East), which is located in Carolina, Puerto RicoCarolina, Puerto RicoCarolina is a city located in the northern part of Puerto Rico, bordering the Atlantic Ocean; it lies north of Gurabo and Juncos; east of Trujillo Alto and San Juan; and west of Canóvanas and Loíza. Carolina is spread over 12 wards plus Carolina Pueblo...
with branches in Santa IsabelSanta Isabel, Puerto RicoSanta Isabel is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the southern coast, south of Coamo; east of Juana Díaz; and west of Salinas. Santa Isabel is spread over 7 wards and Santa Isabel Pueblo...
, Cabo RojoCabo Rojo, Puerto RicoCabo Rojo is a municipality situated on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico and forms part of the San Germán–Cabo Rojo metropolitan area as well as the larger Mayagüez–San Germán–Cabo Rojo Combined Statistical Area....
, BarcelonetaBarceloneta, Puerto RicoBarceloneta is a municipality in Puerto Rico and is located in the north region, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of Florida, east of Arecibo and west of Manati. Barceloneta is spread over 3 wards and Barceloneta Pueblo...
, UtuadoUtuado, Puerto RicoUtuado is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the central-western mountainous region of the island known as La Cordillera Central. It is located north of Adjuntas and Ponce; south of Hatillo and Arecibo; east of Lares; and west of Ciales and Jayuya. In land area it is the third-largest...
and in YaucoYauco, Puerto RicoYauco is a city and municipality in southwestern Puerto Rico located in the southern coast of the island by the Caribbean, south of Maricao, Lares and Adjuntas; east of Sabana Grande and Guánica; and west of Guayanilla. Yauco is spread over 20 wards and Yauco Pueblo...
; - The Metropolitan University, which is located in San Juan, Puerto RicoSan Juan, Puerto RicoSan Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
with branches in BayamonBayamón, Puerto RicoBayamón is a municipality of Puerto Rico located on the northern coastal valley, north of Aguas Buenas and Comerío; south of Toa Baja and Cataño; west of Guaynabo; and east of Toa Alta and Naranjito. Bayamón is spread over 11 wards and Bayamón Pueblo...
, AguadillaAguadilla, Puerto RicoAguadilla , founded in 1775 by Luis de Córdova, is a city located in the northwestern tip of Puerto Rico bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, north of Aguada, and Moca and west of Isabela. Aguadilla is spread over 15 wards and Aguadilla Pueblo...
, Cupey and in JayuyaJayuya, Puerto RicoJayuya is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the mountainous center region of the island, north of Ponce; east of Utuado; and west of Ciales. Jayuya is spread over 18 wards and Jayuya Pueblo...
.
Ana G. Mendez Foundation
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.Legacy
In 1965, Méndez became the "first" and only Puerto Rican woman amongst the Board of Directors of Eastern Air LinesEastern Air Lines
Eastern Air Lines was a major United States airline that existed from 1926 to 1991. Before its dissolution it was headquartered at Miami International Airport in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida.-History:...
. In 1975, the Catholic University of Puerto Rico awarded to Méndez an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanities.
Ana G. Méndez died on February 18, 1997 in San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
. Puerto Rico honored her memory by naming an avenue in San Juan after her. On July 10, 2003, Mayor Buddy Dyer
Buddy Dyer
John Hugh "Buddy" Dyer is mayor of Orlando, Florida, first elected in 2003. He is a member of the United States Democratic Party. Previously he represented Orlando in the Florida State Senate for ten years, including three years when he was the Senate Democratic leader.-Early life:Dyer was born in...
of Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
announced the opening of the "Ana G. Mendez Metro Orlando University".
External links
- suagm.edu - official site.