AC names Dolores Arambula dean of campus operations in Hereford

Amarillo College has selected a longtime member of the faculty at its Hinkson Memorial Campus in Hereford to become the next dean of campus operations there.

Dolores Arambula, a lifelong resident of Hereford and herself a graduate of Amarillo College, has served as interim dean of the Hinkson Campus since the untimely death last January of longtime Dean Daniel Esquivel.

“Dolores has served admirably as the interim dean in Hereford,” Dr. Frank Sobey, associate vice president of academic affairs, said. “During a time of mourning over the passing of Daniel Esquivel, she provided a steady hand, calm influence, and commitment to excellence.

“Her colleagues over the years have described her as enthusiastic, highly dedicated to our students and the Hereford community, and a wonderful example of our values in action,” he said. “I believe this is a well-deserved appointment.”

After earning an associate degree at AC, Arambula completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at West Texas A&M University, the latter in 2008, the same year she joined AC’s campus in Hereford as outreach coordinator and instructor of English as a Second Language (ESL). She has since achieved the rank of assistant professor and, most recently, taught AC’s First Year Seminar classes while overseeing the Hinkson ESL program.

“I’m excited about this opportunity and at the same time it’s bittersweet because everyone here loved Daniel, who was such a great person and great leader,” Arambula said. “I just want to continue to do what’s best for our community and our students, and the best way I can think of to do it is by fulfilling Daniel’s vision.

“I feel so fortunate that I was able to work closely with Daniel; we had many conversations about his vision. He was very passionate about AC and so am I. Now I am blessed by this opportunity to continue his legacy here.”

Among the initiatives on the most immediate horizon for the Hinkson Campus, according to Arambula, are the addition of more classes that align with industrial training, including technical dual credit expansion.

A reception to congratulate and welcome the new dean, a come-and-go event that is open to the public, is planned from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 at the Hinkson Campus, 1115 W. 15th Street.