Jarvis to receive emeritus distinction

Ana Jarvis, Spanish faculty at Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC), will be honored with emeritus distinction at the Maricopa County Community College District governing board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 23. Jarvis was nominated by Virginia Edwards, division chair of Modern Languages and Humanities, and Spanish faculty Cynthia Bingham.

Jarvis was one of the first instructors hired at CGCC when it was still an educational center of Mesa Community College in 1987, and she was CGCC’s first Spanish faculty. During those early years when CGCC was emerging as an accredited institution, Jarvis taught a variety of Spanish classes and worked on developing a strong foreign language program. As the years went by, other languages were added to the department. She was instrumental in starting CGCC's Spanish honor society, Sigma Delta Mu, and an annual Foreign Language Night. For many years she helped plan International Student Week activities with CGCC’s International Student Office.

Jarvis was a key contributor to CGCC’s Marketing Committee and the International/Intercultural Education Committee. She is a gifted and prolific author whose "Como Se Dice" books are used by colleges and universities locally and nationally.

Edwards and Bingham note in the nomination, “Most of all, Ana has been a strong advocate for her students and her profession. She is known for mentoring and tutoring students and for introducing the beauty of the Spanish language and culture to thousands over the years. She has a sharp wit and a great sense of humor. She will be fondly remembered for her valiant resistance to the onslaught of technology, defiantly tapping on her typewriter long after those around her converted to computers, email, and online student information systems. She will be remembered as a dear friend and supportive colleague to many faculty and staff at CGCC.”