Patty Erjavec Appointed PPC President

DENVER - Patty Erjavec (left), former member of the State Board for Community College and Occupational Education, was, Friday, appointed president of Pueblo Community College by Dr. Nancy McCallin, president of the Colorado Community College System (CCCS).

Erjavec replaces J.D. Garvin who resigned abruptly in early February. Until she assumes her duties June 1, Cliff Richardson, CCCS vice-president of Administration and Finance, will continue in his role as interim president.

McCallin and Richardson met with college faculty, staff, and members of the community to get an idea of how they would like to proceed with the selection of the new president. Many felt that an appointment would be in the best interest of the college and would bring leadership to the college in an expeditious time frame.

“I am very pleased that Patty has accepted the position as president of PCC. I have been honored to work with Patty for the past six years, I have seen first-hand her commitment to community college students, to the mission of community colleges, and to PCC,” said McCallin. “I have always admired her staunch advocacy for policies that create a thriving environment in which students may learn. Additionally, Patty has strong ties in the community, which I believe will allow her to build strong business partnerships that will benefit both our students and economic development within the community.”

Garvin’s resignation caught many working at the college as well as the Pueblo community off-guard. At the time, business leaders expressed shock and surprise.

“We absolutely hate to see John resign,” said Dan Centa, president of the Pueblo Economic Development Corp. when the resignation was announced.

“(Garvin’s) resignation comes as a surprise because I believe his leadership brought a change to the college,” said Sandy Gutierrez, president of the Latino Chamber of Commerce and former chairwoman of the Pueblo Education Consortium.

“As a Pueblo native, I have grown up around PCC,” said Erjavec. “I have seen firsthand the success stories the students have to tell, which are remarkable, and I look forward to supporting the students as they work toward achieving their goals. I have also seen the contributions the college has made to this and other communities and the communities’ generosity back to the college. It will be a great privilege to continue in the traditions of these important partnerships and grow them in the future for all of the PCC communities of Pueblo, Canon City, Cortez, and Durango.”

Erjavec currently serves as the president and CEO of El Pueblo, an Adolescent Treatment Community. Prior to El Pueblo, she was the general manager for PCL Packaging in Pueblo. She is a board member of US Bank, a member of the Pueblo City School Strategic Planning Commission, and vice-chair of the Colorado Association of Families and Children’s Agencies. She served on the SBCCOE from 2001 until 2010 when her term expired earlier this year. She was inducted into the Pueblo Community College Hall of Fame this year.

Erjavec received her master’s in non-profit management from Regis University, graduating with honors, and her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, emphasis in accounting, from University of Southern Colorado (now Colorado State University-Pueblo).

Erjavec will be PCC’s first woman president.