PCC Southwest names Rubadeau interim executive dean

Pueblo Community College President Patty Erjavec announced Tuesday that Mary Rubadeau will be the interim executive dean for the college’s Southwest Campus in Mancos and its site at Durango High School.

Rubadeau, a resident of Durango, was selected after the resignation of Executive Dean Tonya Nelson. Nelson left PCC to pursue other opportunities, PCC said in a press release.

In recent years, Rubadeau has served as interim superintendent for the Bayfield and Montezuma-Cortez school districts. She is the coordinator of American Indian Measurable Success, a collective impact initiative working to close college attainment gaps for Native American students in Southwest Colorado.

Rubadeau was superintendent of the Telluride R-1 School District for 12 years and was named Colorado’s 2008 Superintendent of the Year. She held numerous administrative and teaching positions with school districts in Alaska over a 20-year period. In all, she has more than 40 years of experience in education.

“Mary brings a strong, proven record of educational and leadership experience and is sure to contribute to the role and mission of the college and our vision for student success,” Erjavec said. “She is well respected in the region, as well as throughout the state, and I am thrilled she has committed to sharing her many talents with us, as we work to continue the great work taking place at PCC Southwest.”

Rubadeau will serve through June 15, and will be part of the search committee to find a permanent executive dean.