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Dr. Eufemia Amabisca “walks the walk and talks the talk” – and that’s one reason she was selected the 2007 Woman of Distinction for South Mountain Community College.
She was honored at the SMCC Women’s Leadership Group (WLG) Luncheon in March. WLG sponsors the annual honor, and the gathering is hosted by Student Governance and Student Life and Leadership.
Also nominated and recognized at the SMCC luncheon:
Bonnie Goebel, Karen Gurney, Chris Haines, Heather Frengley, and Dr. Sue Ann Scarbrough. Theme for the luncheon was “Women: Changing the Face of Power.”
Dr. Velvie Green, President of Glendale Community College, was guest speaker.
Eufemia and finalists from the MCCCD sister colleges were recognized and awarded medals at the Women of Distinction banquet on April 18 at the Phoenix Zoo.
“Eufemia inspires by example and is constantly learning, growing, enriching her life -- and those of others-- by sharing her strength, wisdom, and hope for a better future for all aspects of the world,” reads the nomination. “She walks the walk and talks the talk.”
Eufemia, Bilingual Education Faculty and coordinator of the Paraprofessional Cohort Program, has been at SMCC since 2001, and has worked in the field of education for more than 20 years.
She teaches education classes in the Dynamic Learning Teacher Preparation Program, and works with school districts to develop partnerships that allow paraprofessionals to comply with No Child Left Behind.
In addition, she is the current Faculty Senate President and serves as a leader with several local and state bilingual education organizations.
“Eufemia is tireless when it comes to education, creating opportunities for her students to succeed and for her peers to grow to their full potential,” according to the nomination.
In addition, this Woman of Distinction strives to help other women “to find their many voices…and reach their goals…she is a master teacher and has been instrumental in the retention of our teaching-paraprofessional students.”
“This (award) was a surprise to me, and I was totally overwhelmed and honored,” the veteran teacher says.
“It is all that more special because it’s given by a women’s leadership group. I have always felt helping other women to succeed in realizing their vision is a big part of who I am. I try to help by teaching what and how to do things, and am always available for discussions and advice on what I feel they need to do to grow. Many times, women have only to hear themselves out loud and they come up with ideas or solutions.”
In addition to using these talents with students and SMCC colleagues, Eufemia applied them when president of the Hispanic Women’s Corporation several years ago. She chaired the HWC conference three times.
Meanwhile, she adds, “I do my job and I do my best, never thinking that what I do deserves an award because I see it as commitment. I am honored to receive an award for this.
“All of the women nominated were worthy of such an honor and I share this award with all of them. We don’t do things alone, because because we need the support to fulfill our goals and dreams.”