Closing Ceremony

Dr. Duran will relay his story of growing up in the public housing project known as “The Bricks” in Pueblo, Colorado as well as being raised by a single mother on welfare to becoming the President of Oxnard Community College.  He was also the first in his family to attend college.   This is Dr. Duran's third Community College Presidency.  He has also served as the founding president of Tohono O'Odham Community College, a tribal college in Southern Arizona, as well as president of Desert Vista Campus in Tucson, Arizona.   He will relate the experience of not having any aspiration of going to college to finding his confidence in himself and having the “ganas” to achieve his goal.

Dr. Duran holds an Ed.D. from the University of Northern Colorado in Educational Administration.   He received his Bachelor of Art Degree in elementary education and his Master of Art in education at Adams State College.  He has a record of excellence in administration and teaching and is known as a collaborative leader who inspires others to realize their own potential.  Recently, Dr. Duran was awarded the Adams State College Outstanding Alumnus Award.  He has always been a leader who is willing to take risks and to be the first or innovator.  He understands that strong leadership means including staff and students in the ownership and responsibility of being successful.  Dr Duran also understands the impact that the success of first generation students has on future generations and the community in which they live.