Johanna B. Maes has been named the new director of the Pre-Collegiate Development program at the University of Colorado at Â鶹¹ÙÍø, according to Ken Wilson, director of the Student Academic Services Center.
The appointment will be considered at the Dec. 9 Board of Regents' meeting in Â鶹¹ÙÍø and Maes will start Dec. 13, pending regents' approval.
Maes, a CU-Â鶹¹ÙÍø alumna, replaces Christopher Pacheco as director of the program. Pacheco assumed the position of associate director for academic support and grant operations at the center last January.
Pacheco is now charged with overseeing the center's federal TRIO programs (Upward Bound, Academic Excellence Program and the McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program) in addition to the Pre-Collegiate Program.
"I am delighted that Johanna is on board as PCDP director," Wilson said. "I am also pleased that long-time director Chris Pacheco is remaining in the Student Academic Services Center and that the campus will retain his valuable expertise."
Pacheco's work as PCDP director was widely recognized in the metro area. Wilson said he is glad that he will have the opportunity to mentor Maes as she assumes the position.
"I am pleased that we were able to hire someone with Johanna's expertise and connections to the Denver-metro community," Pacheco said.
"I think she will be a great fit with the Pre-Collegiate Program, its current staff and its goals. I am also looking forward to concentrating on my current duties and playing a greater role in the continued success of the Student Academic Services Center as a whole."
Maes will earn her master's degree in Liberal Studies, with an emphasis in education, from Regis University in 2000. She received her bachelor's degree in journalism, with additional course work in ethnic studies, from CU-Â鶹¹ÙÍø in 1992.
Maes' professional experience includes positions as adolescent health education coordinator at La Clinica Tepeyac in Denver, director of educational initiatives for the Latin American Research and Service Agency, project coordinator for the Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation, and program facilitator for the Latina Mentorship program.
She has broad experience as a presenter and consultant and is the recipient of many grants and awards. Maes also is a member of several organizations, including the National Latino Children's Institute and the University of Colorado Hispanic Alumni Association.
The Pre-Collegiate Development Program, housed within the Student Academic Services Center at the University of Colorado at Â鶹¹ÙÍø, is designed to motivate educationally or economically disadvantaged high school youth to complete high school, graduate and successfully matriculate to a postsecondary institution.
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